Push-in type terminal table

Abstract

To provide a compact push-in type terminal table capable of notifying that an insertion of an electric wire has been completed with a small number of members.SOLUTION: A push-in type terminal table 2 comprises: an insertion path 10; an electrode part 20; a spring member 30; a rotational member 40 that is rotated between a first rotational position and a second rotational position; and an engagement part 54A that is engaged with the other end part region 46 in a state where the rotational member 40 is at the first rotational position. When an electric wire 100 is pushed therein, an engagement with the other end part region 46 and the engagement part 54A is deviated by pushing one end part region 44 to a depth side by a tip end of the electric wire 100. The electric wire 100 is contacted to the electrode part 20 by pressing it with a spring member 30, and a sound occurs when the engagement with the other end part region 46 and the engagement part 54A are disengaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a push-in type terminal block that can electrically connect a conductive portion to an electrode portion of the terminal block by inserting an electric wire into an insertion path without using a tool or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known push-in terminal blocks that can electrically connect a conductive part to an electrode part of a terminal block without using tools by inserting an electric wire into an insertion path. Among them, there is a proposed push-in terminal block that includes a spring member that brings the conductive part exposed at the tip of an electric wire inserted into the terminal block into contact with the electrode part, and notifies the user that the conductive part of the electric wire is connected to the electrode part of the terminal block and the insertion is complete by a sound generated when the spring member hits the electric wire (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the terminal block described in Patent Document 1, the spring member that is biased to press the electric wire against the electrode side is held away from the electrode, and when the electric wire is inserted, a link mechanism is activated to release the spring member toward the electric wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2021-515972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The push-in terminal block described in Patent Document 1 requires multiple components with complex shapes to configure a link mechanism for notifying completion of wire insertion, which leads to problems such as higher parts costs and increased assembly man-hours, resulting in higher manufacturing costs and a larger terminal block size.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a compact push-in terminal block that can notify completion of wire insertion using a small number of components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A push-in terminal block according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an insertion path into which the electric wire is inserted; An electrode portion disposed along the insertion path; a spring member facing the electrode portion across the insertion path and biased in a direction such that an end portion of the spring member approaches the electrode portion; a rotating member that rotates about a rotation axis, has one end region disposed within the insertion path, and rotates between a first rotation position where the one end region is located on the front side of the insertion path and a second rotation position where the one end region is located on the back side of the insertion path; an engagement portion that engages with the one end region or the other end region when the rotating member is in the first rotation position; Equipped with When an electric wire with an exposed conductive portion at its tip is pushed into the insertion passage with the rotating member in the first rotation position, the tip of the electric wire pushes the one end region toward the back, disengaging the other end region from the engaging portion and rotating the rotating member toward the second rotation position, and the electric wire is pushed by the end of the spring member to contact the electrode portion, When the engagement between the one end region or the other end region and the engagement portion is released, the member vibrates to generate sound. Effect of the Invention

[0007] As described above, the present disclosure makes it possible to provide a compact push-in terminal block that can notify completion of wire insertion using a small number of components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a frame constituting the push-in type terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an electrode portion constituting the push-in type terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a spring member constituting the push-in type terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rotating member constituting the push-in type terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a housing constituting a push-in type terminal block according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 2 is a side view, seen from the direction of the arrow AA in FIG. 1, which diagrammatically shows the push-in terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the housing seen through. [Figure 7A] 7 is a side view showing a state where an electric wire is inserted into an insertion path in the push-in terminal block shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 7B] 7B is a side view showing a state in which the electric wire is further inserted into the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 7A and one end of the rotating member in the first rotation position is pushed by the conductive portion. FIG. [Figure 7C] 7C is a side view showing a state in which the wire is further inserted into the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 7B, whereby the other end of the wire is disengaged from the engaging portion and the rotating member is rotated, completing the insertion of the wire. [Figure 8A] FIG. 7C is a side view showing the state in which the insertion of the electric wire is completed, and then the jig is inserted into the jig insertion path, the spring member is moved in a direction away from the electrode portion to pull out the electric wire to the front side, and the rotating member is rotated in the direction of the first rotation position. [Figure 8B] 8B is a side view showing the state where the jig is further inserted into the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 8A to rotate the rotation member to the first rotation position, and the other end portion and the engagement portion are engaged again. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotating member constituting a push-in type terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a schematic view of a push-in terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the engagement structure of a rotating member is different, as seen through the housing. [Figure 10B] 10B is a side cross-sectional view taken along the arrow B in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11A] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a push-in type terminal block according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen through the housing, in a state where, after the insertion of the electric wire is completed, the release member is pushed inward to move the spring member in a direction away from the electrode portion to pull out the electric wire toward the front, and the rotating member is rotated in the direction of the first rotation position. [Figure 11B] 11B is a side view showing the state in which the release member is further inserted toward the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 11A to rotate the rotation member to the first rotation position, and the other end portion and the engagement portion are engaged again. FIG. [Figure 11C] 11C is a side view showing a state in which the release member has moved to the front side by the biasing force of the spring member as a result of the release member being released from the state shown in FIG. 11B by being pushed toward the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, corresponding components having the same function are given the same reference numerals. In consideration of the explanation or ease of understanding of the main points, the embodiments may be shown separately for convenience, but partial replacement or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. In the embodiments described below, the description of matters common to the above-mentioned embodiments will be omitted, and only the differences will be described. In particular, similar effects due to similar configurations will not be mentioned one after another for each embodiment. The size and positional relationship of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated to clarify the explanation.

[0010] (Push-in type terminal block according to the first embodiment) First, a push-in terminal block according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 are perspective views showing the components constituting the push-in terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which Fig. 1 shows a frame, Fig. 2 shows an electrode portion, Fig. 3 shows a spring member, Fig. 4 shows a rotating member, and Fig. 5 shows a housing. Fig. 6 is a side view of the push-in terminal block according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, seen from the direction of the arrow AA in Fig. 1, which is a schematic view showing the housing through which the housing is seen.

[0011] Figure 6 shows the assembled state of the components shown in Figures 1 to 5. In the side views from Figure 6 onwards, the outline of the housing and the like are shown typically by dotted lines. In the drawings and the following description, the direction in which the electric wire or jig is pushed into the insertion path is shown as the "rear side", and the direction in which the electric wire or jig is pulled out of the insertion path is shown as the "front side".

[0012] The push-in terminal block 2 according to this embodiment is mainly composed of a frame 50, an electrode portion 20, a spring member 30, a rotating member 40, and a housing 60.

[0013] <frame> The frame 50 shown in Fig. 1 is made of a resin material. The frame 50 has surfaces for mounting the electrode unit 20 as shown by P' and Q' in Fig. 1. The frame 50 also has an axial hole 52 into which the axial portion 42 of the rotating member 40 is inserted, and a recess 54 having a protrusion 54A that engages with the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40. The frame 50 also has an engagement protrusion 56 for fixing the housing 60.

[0014] <Electrode part> 2 includes a main body 22 having a substantially U-shaped side surface formed by bending a flat copper member. The main body 22 has a structure in which an opposing insertion path side region 22A and a spring member support region 22B are connected by a connecting region 22C.

[0015] The electrode unit 20 is attached to the frame 50 such that the outer surface of the main body 22 of the electrode unit 20 contacts a surface of the frame 50. For example, the electrode unit 20 is attached to the frame 50 such that the surface P of the electrode unit 20 contacts the surface P' of the frame 50 and the surface Q of the electrode unit 20 contacts the surface Q' of the frame 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). When the electrode unit 20 is attached to the frame 50, the insertion path side region 22A of the main body 22 is disposed along the insertion path 10 into which the electric wire is inserted.

[0016] A protrusion 26 is formed in the insertion path side region 22A of the main body 22. As described below, the electric wire is pressed by the end 30A of the spring member 30 and abuts on the protrusion 26 which is a part of the electrode portion 20, thereby establishing electrical continuity with the electrode 20. A mounting protrusion 28 for mounting the spring member 30 is formed in the spring member support region 22B of the electrode portion 20.

[0017] Furthermore, the electrode section 20 includes a connection section 24 extending from the main body section 22. The tip of this connection section 24 is connected to a circuit, so that the electrode section 20 is electrically connected to the circuit.

[0018] <Spring parts> The spring member 30 shown in FIG. 3 is formed by bending an elastic flat plate. The elastic flat plate is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. An end 30A of the spring member 30 is a portion that pushes the electric wire inserted into the insertion path 10 toward the electrode unit 20. An attachment hole 32 is formed in the end region opposite the end 30A. An attachment protrusion 28 formed in the spring member support region 22B of the electrode unit 20 is inserted into the attachment hole 32, and the spring member 30 is fixed to the electrode unit 20 attached to the frame 50.

[0019] 6, the spring member 30 is attached to the frame 50. At this time, the spring member 30 is disposed so as to face the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) across the insertion path 10. The end portion 30A of the spring member 30 is biased in a direction approaching the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A).

[0020] <Rotating parts> The rotating member 40 shown in Fig. 4 is also made of a resin material or a metal material. The rotating member 40 has a generally L-shaped side shape with members extending on both sides from a shaft portion 42, and has one end region 44 and the other end region 46. The shaft portion 42 of the rotating member 40 is inserted into a shaft hole portion 52 of a frame 50, and rotates around a rotation axis G. In other words, the rotating member 40 is supported by the frame 50 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0021] One end region 44 of the rotating member 40 is disposed in the insertion passage 10 into which the electric wire is inserted. The rotating member 40 rotates between a first rotation position in which the one end region 44 is located on the front side of the insertion passage 10 and a second rotation position in which the one end region 44 is located on the back side of the insertion passage 10. FIG. 6 shows the rotating member 40 in the first rotation position. The other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 is formed with a contact portion 46A that engages with a protrusion 54A formed on the frame 50 when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position. Furthermore, the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 is also formed with a spring abutment portion 48 that abuts against the spring member 30.

[0022] <Case> A resin housing 60 is attached to the frame 50 so as to cover the frame 50 to which the electrode section 20, spring member 30, and rotating member 40 are attached in this manner. The engaging projections 56 formed on the frame 50 fit into engaging holes 66 provided in the housing 60, and the two are fixed together. A similar frame 50 and fixing mechanism for the frame 50 are provided on the surface opposite to the surface having the engaging holes 66 of the housing 60 shown in the figure.

[0023] At a position of the housing 60 corresponding to the insertion path 10, an opening 62 for an electric wire is formed, which serves as an entrance and exit for the insertion path 10. In addition, as described below, a jig insertion path 12 is disposed along the insertion path 10 at a position opposite to the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) of the insertion path 10. At a position of the housing 60 corresponding to the jig insertion path 12, a jig opening 64 which serves as an entrance and exit for the jig insertion path 12 is formed.

[0024] <Assembled push-in terminal block> As shown in FIG. 6, the push-in terminal block 2 assembled as described above includes an insertion path 10 into which an electric wire is inserted, an electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) arranged along the insertion path 10, a spring member 30 facing the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) across the insertion path 10 and biased in a direction such that an end portion 30A approaches the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A), and a rotating member 40 that rotates about a rotation axis G and has one end portion 44 arranged within the insertion path 10 and rotates between a first rotation position where the one end portion 44 is located in front of the insertion path 10 and a second rotation position where the one end portion 44 is located at the back of the insertion path.

[0025] 6 shows an initial state in which the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position. When the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position, the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 is located in a recess 54 formed in the frame 50. The contact portion 46A of the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 is in contact with an inwardly protruding protrusion 54A formed in the recess 54 of the frame 50. The rotation of the rotating member 40 is restricted in the first rotation position by the protrusion 54A. In other words, the protrusion 54A functions as an engagement portion that engages with the other end region 46 when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position.

[0026] A jig insertion path 12 is disposed along the insertion path 10 at a position opposite to the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) of the insertion path 10. As described later, when the electric wire that has been completely inserted into the push-in terminal block 2 is pulled out from the push-in terminal block 2, a jig is inserted into the jig insertion path 12.

[0027] The main body 22 of the electrode section 20 has a substantially U-shaped side shape, but is not limited thereto. The electrode section 20 may have any other shape or structure as long as it is electrically connected to the circuit and has a region corresponding to the insertion path side region 22A arranged along the insertion path 10. The spring member 30 is attached to the spring member support region 22B of the electrode section 20, but is not limited thereto. There may also be cases where the spring-like member 30 is attached directly to the frame 50 without the electrode section 20 being interposed therebetween.

[0028] (How to insert wires into a push-in terminal block) Next, a method of inserting an electric wire into the push-in terminal block 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 7A to 7C. Fig. 7A is a side view showing a state where an electric wire is inserted into an insertion path in the push-in terminal block shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7B is a side view showing a state where an electric wire is inserted further into the back side from the state shown in Fig. 7A, and one end of the rotating member in the first rotation position is pushed by the conductive part. Fig. 7C is a side view showing a state where an electric wire is inserted further into the back side from the state shown in Fig. 7B, and the other end of the rotating member is disengaged from the engaging part, causing the rotating member to rotate, completing the insertion of the electric wire. In the drawings, the movements of the electric wire and the members are shown by arrows.

[0029] In an initial state in which the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position and the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 is engaged with the engaging portion (projection) 54A, as shown in Fig. 7A, the electric wire 100 is inserted into the insertion path 10 from the electric wire opening 62 of the housing 60. The electric wire 100 to be inserted has the insulating portion 104 covering the conductive portion 102 at the tip region removed, exposing the conductive portion 102.

[0030] When the electric wire 100 is pushed inward, the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 pushes the electric wire 100 (the conductive portion 102) in a direction approaching the electrode portion 20 (the insertion path side region 22A).

[0031] When the electric wire 100 is further pushed inward, the tip of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) comes into contact with one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 as shown in Fig. 7B. When the electric wire 100 continues to be pushed in, a force (torque) is applied to the rotating member 40 to rotate it from the first rotation position to the second rotation position based on the force of pushing the electric wire 100. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7C, the contact portion 46A of the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 rides over the protrusion 54A formed in the recess 54 of the frame 50, and the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 is released. As a result, the rotating member 40 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

[0032] When the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 is released, the electric wire 100 is sufficiently inserted into the back side of the insertion path 10, and is pushed toward the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) by the biasing force of the spring member 30, so that the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) comes into contact with the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). More specifically, the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) is pushed by the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 and hits the protrusion 26 located on the front side of the end portion 30A of the spring member 30, which is a part of the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). As a result, the electric wire 100 is reliably electrically connected to the circuit via the electrode portion 20 (protrusion 26). This completes the insertion of the electric wire 100.

[0033] It is preferable that the spring member 30 has a biasing force such that the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) reliably contacts the protrusion 26 provided on the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) at the insertion completion position and the operator can easily push the electric wire 100 in. If the electric wire 100 is pulled out toward the operator when the insertion of the electric wire 100 is completed, the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 in contact with the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) is also pulled toward the operator by friction. Then, the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 presses the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) further strongly toward the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). Such a self-locking mechanism can reliably prevent the electric wire 100 that has been inserted from coming out of the push-in terminal block 2.

[0034] In the push-in terminal block 2 according to this embodiment, when the contact portion 46A of the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 passes over the protrusion portion 54A of the frame 50 and the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 is released, a sound is generated due to vibration of the rotating member 40, the frame 50, and other members. This sound can inform the worker that the insertion of the electric wire 100 is complete. Since the members vibrate, if the worker is inserting the electric wire 100 while touching the housing 60, the worker can recognize the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100 not only by the sound but also by the vibration transmitted from the housing 60.

[0035] In this embodiment, by simply adding one member (the rotating member 40) to the conventionally existing electrode portion, spring member, frame, and housing, it is possible to reliably notify completion of wire insertion. Since only one member (the rotating member 40) is added, it is possible to avoid the device becoming larger.

[0036] As described above, when the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 is released and the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 is notified by sound, the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) is reliably in contact with the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). On the other hand, the second rotation position of the rotating member 40 is a rotation position at which the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 is reliably released, even taking into consideration the manufacturing tolerance of the members and wear of the members. In this embodiment, the second rotation position is determined so that the rotation angle after the release of the engagement is small within a range at which the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 is reliably released. Therefore, in addition to the sound and vibration, the completion of insertion of the wiring 100 can be recognized supplementarily from the sensation of reaching the pushed-in end of the electric wire 100.

[0037] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotating member 40 may reach the second rotation position when it rotates a predetermined angle even after the engagement is released. In this case, when the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100 is notified by sound and vibration, the pushing of the electric wire 100 can be stopped before the rotating member 40 reaches the second rotation position, or the pushing of the electric wire 100 can be continued until it reaches the second rotation position.

[0038] As described above, the push-in type terminal block 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a frame 50 that rotatably supports the rotating member 40, and a protrusion 54A is formed on the frame 50 which functions as an engagement portion that engages with the other end region 46 (46A) when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position, and when a force is applied to rotate the rotating member 40 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the other end region 46 (46A) overcomes the protrusion 54A and disengages.

[0039] In this embodiment, the protrusion 54A formed on the frame 50 that rotatably supports the rotating member 40 functions as an engagement portion, so that the rotating member 40 can be engaged and disengaged in a structurally stable manner without adding any additional members.

[0040] (How to pull out the wires from the push-in terminal block) Next, a method of pulling out the electric wire 100, which has been inserted as described above, from the push-in terminal block 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B. Fig. 8A is a side view showing, from the state in which the insertion of the electric wire is completed as shown in Fig. 7C, a jig is inserted into the jig insertion path, the spring member is moved in a direction away from the electrode portion to pull out the electric wire to the front side, and the rotating member is rotated in the direction of the first rotation position. Fig. 8B is a side view showing, from the state shown in Fig. 8A, a state in which the jig is further inserted to the rear side and the rotating member is rotated to the first rotation position, and the other end and the engaging portion are engaged again. In the drawings, the movements of the electric wire and the members are shown typically by arrows.

[0041] As described above, the jig insertion path 12 is disposed along the insertion path 10 at a position opposite to the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) of the insertion path 10. When the insertion of the electric wire 100 is completed and the rotating member 40 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, as shown in FIG. 8A, the jig 110 is inserted into the jig insertion path 12 from the jig opening 64 of the housing 60 and pushed into the back side. This allows the tip of the jig 110 to push the side of the spring member 30, and the end 30A of the spring member 30 to be separated from the electric wire 100. This allows the electric wire 100, which has been released from the restraint, to be easily pulled out from the push-in terminal block 2.

[0042] Furthermore, by pushing the jig 110 to the rear side, the end 30A of the spring member 30 moves in a direction further away from the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). Then, the region close to the end 30A of the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48 formed in the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40. This allows the spring member 30 to rotate the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 in the direction of the first rotation position. In the illustrated example, the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48 in a region close to the end 30A of the spring member 30, but this is not limited to this. There may also be cases where the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48 at a position farther away from the end 30A than in the illustrated example.

[0043] 8B, the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 can be engaged with the engaging portion (projection portion) 54A again to return to the initial state. Thereafter, the jig 110 is pulled out from the push-in terminal block 2.

[0044] As described above, in the push-in type terminal block 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the jig insertion path 12 is arranged along the insertion path 10 at a position opposite the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) of the insertion path 10, and when the electric wire 100 is inserted and the rotating member 40 is in a position rotated from the first rotation position toward the second rotation position, the jig 110 is pushed deep into the jig insertion path 12, whereby the tip of the jig 110 presses against the side of the spring member 30 to separate the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 from the electric wire 100, and the spring member 30 presses against the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 to rotate the rotating member 40 in the direction of the first rotation position, thereby again engaging the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 with the engagement portion (protrusion) 54A.

[0045] In this embodiment, by pushing the jig 110 deep into the jig insertion passage 12, the end 30A of the spring member 30 is separated from the electric wire 100, and the electric wire 100 can be easily pulled out from the push-in terminal block 2. At the same time, the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 can be reliably engaged with the engaging portion (projection portion) 54A again to return to the initial state.

[0046] (Push-in type terminal block according to the second embodiment) Next, a push-in terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 10B. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a rotating member constituting the push-in terminal block according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10A is a side view showing a push-in terminal block according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the engagement structure of the rotating member is different, in a see-through state of the housing. Fig. 10B is a side cross-sectional view seen from the arrow B in Fig. 10A.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the region for engaging the rotating member 40 is formed in the other end region 46, but in the second embodiment, the region for engaging the rotating member 40 is formed in one end region 44, which is different. Specifically, contact portions 44A are formed on both sides of one end region 44 of the rotating member 40. In addition, protrusions 68 (shown by dotted lines) functioning as engagement portions are formed on the side positions shown in FIG. 10A on the inner surfaces of both sides of the housing 60. As shown in FIG. 10B when viewed from a direction perpendicular to FIG. 10A (the direction of arrow B), the protrusions 68 are formed so as to protrude inward from the inner surface of the housing 60.

[0048] When the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position, the contact portions 44A on both sides of one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 abut against the protrusions 68 formed on the inner surface of the housing 60. As a result, the rotation of the rotating member 40 is restricted in the first rotation position.

[0049] As in the first embodiment, when the electric wire 100 is pushed into the insertion passage 10, the tip of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) comes into contact with one end region 44 of the rotating member 40, pushing the one end region 44 toward the rear. As a result, the contact portion 44A of the one end region 44 rides over the protrusion 68 of the housing 60, and the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the housing 60 is released. Then, the rotating member 40 rotates from the first rotation position toward the second rotation position.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the recess 54 of the frame 50 does not have a protrusion, and the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 and the frame 50 do not engage with each other.

[0051] In the second embodiment as well, when the contact portion 44A of one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 rides over the protrusion 68 of the housing 60 and the engagement between the rotating member 40 and the housing 60 is released, a sound is generated due to vibration of the rotating member 40, the housing 60, and other members. This sound can notify the worker of the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100. In this embodiment, the outermost housing 60 vibrates to produce the sound, so that the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100 can be more clearly notified. Furthermore, when the worker is inserting the electric wire 100 while touching the housing 60, the worker can recognize the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100 not only by the sound but also by the vibration transmitted from the housing 60.

[0052] In this embodiment, the contact portion 44A is formed on one end region 44 of the rotating member 40, but this is not limited to this. For example, a similar contact portion may be formed on the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 so as to engage with a protrusion formed on the housing 60.

[0053] As described above, the push-in type terminal block 2' according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 60 arranged to cover the rotating member 40, and a protrusion 68 is formed on the inner surface of the housing 60, which functions as an engagement portion that engages with one end region 44 or the other end region 46 when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position, and when a force is applied to rotate the rotating member 40 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the one end region 44 or the other end region 46 overcomes the protrusion 68 and disengages.

[0054] In this embodiment, the protrusion 68 formed on the outermost housing 60 functions as an engagement portion, so that it is possible to more clearly notify the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 without adding any additional member. The other structures are similar to those of the first embodiment, so further description will be omitted.

[0055] (Push-in type terminal block according to the third embodiment) Next, a push-in type terminal block according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 11A to 11C. Fig. 11A is a side view showing a push-in type terminal block according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, in a see-through state of the housing, and is a side view showing a state in which the release member is pushed inward from a state in which the spring member is moved in a direction away from the electrode portion to pull out the electric wire to the front side, and the rotating member is rotated in the direction of the first rotation position, from a state shown in Fig. 11A. Fig. 11B is a side view showing a state in which the release member is further inserted inward from the state shown in Fig. 11A, the rotating member is rotated to the first rotation position, and the other end and the engaging portion are engaged again. Fig. 11C is a side view showing a state in which the release member is moved to the front side by the biasing force of the spring member by releasing the pushing of the release member to the rear side from the state shown in Fig. 11B. In the drawings, the movements of the electric wires and members are shown by arrows.

[0056] In the above first embodiment, the electric wire 100 that has been completely inserted is removed from the push-in terminal block 2 by inserting the jig 110 into the jig insertion path 12. However, the third embodiment differs in that it is provided with a release member 70 that enables the electric wire 100 to be removed without using a jig.

[0057] A release member 70 movable along the insertion path 10 is provided at a position opposite to the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) of the insertion path 10. The release member 70 can also be formed from a resin material. A guide member 72 that slidably surrounds the release member 70 is attached to the inner surface of the housing 60. The release member 70 is slidable toward the rear and front along the guide surface of the guide member 72. The release member 70 is disposed at a position similar to the above-mentioned jig insertion path 12, and the front side region of the release member 70 is disposed protruding outward from an opening similar to the above-mentioned jig opening 64 provided in the housing 60.

[0058] When no force is applied to the release member 70, the release member 70 is in a state where a predetermined area on the front side protrudes from the housing 60 due to the biasing force of the spring member 30 that abuts against the rear end. When the operator pushes the release member 70 toward the rear side against the biasing force of the spring member 30, the spring member 30 moves so that the end 30A moves away from the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side area 22A). At this time, the amount of protrusion of the release member 70 from the housing 60 decreases, but even after the release member 70 is pushed in, a part of the release member 70 on the front side protrudes outward from the housing 60.

[0059] When the insertion of the electric wire 100 is completed and the rotating member 40 is rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the operator manually pushes the releasing member 70 toward the back as shown in Fig. 11A. This causes the tip of the releasing member 70 to push the side surface of the spring member 30, and the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 to move away from the electric wire 100. This allows the electric wire 100, which has been released from the restraint, to be easily pulled out from the push-in terminal block 2.

[0060] Furthermore, by pushing the release member 70 inward, the end 30A of the spring member 30 moves in a direction further away from the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). Then, the region close to the end 30A of the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48 formed in the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40. This allows the spring member 30 to rotate the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 in the direction of the first rotation position. In the illustrated example, the region close to the end 30A of the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48, but this is not limited to this. There may also be cases where the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48 at a position farther away from the end 30A than in the illustrated example.

[0061] When the release member 70 is further pushed inwards, the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 is again engaged with the engagement portion (projection portion) 54A, returning it to its initial state, as shown in Fig. 11B. When the operator then stops pushing the release member 70, the biasing force of the spring member 30 moves the release member 70 to the front side, returning it to its initial state in which a predetermined region on the front side of the release member 70 protrudes from the housing 60, as shown in Fig. 11C.

[0062] In this way, the push-in type terminal block 2'' according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a release member 70 movable along the insertion path 10 at a position opposite the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) of the insertion path 10, and when the electric wire 100 is inserted and the rotating member 40 is in a position rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the release member 70 can be pushed from the front side to the back side, so that the tip of the release member 70 presses the side of the spring member 30 to separate the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 from the electric wire 100, and the spring member 30 presses the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 to rotate the rotating member 40 in the direction of the first rotation position, thereby again engaging the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 with the engagement portion (protrusion portion) 54A.

[0063] In this way, the push-in terminal block 2'' according to the third embodiment includes the release member 70, and by pushing the release member 70 toward the rear side, the end 30A of the spring member 30 is separated from the electric wire 100, and the electric wire 100 can be easily pulled out of the push-in terminal block 2'' without using a jig. At the same time, the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 can be reliably engaged with the engagement portion (projection portion) 54A again to return to the initial state. Incidentally, when no electric wire is inserted, the operator can also check whether the spring member 30 has an appropriate biasing force by pushing the release member 70 protruding from the housing 60 toward the rear side.

[0064] In this embodiment, the portions other than the release member 70 have the same structure as the push-in terminal block 2 according to the first embodiment. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the release member 70 may be provided in a structure similar to that of the push-in terminal block 2' according to the second embodiment.

[0065] As described above, the push-in type terminal blocks 2, 2', 2'' according to the first to third embodiments include the insertion path 10 into which the electric wire 100 is inserted, the electrode portion 20 arranged along the insertion path 10, the spring member 30 facing the electrode portion 20 across the insertion path 10 and biased in a direction in which the end portion 30A approaches the electrode portion 20, the rotating member 40 which rotates about the rotation axis G and rotates between a first rotation position in which one end region 44 is arranged within the insertion path 10 and the first rotation position in which the one end region 44 is located on the front side of the insertion path 10 and a second rotation position in which the one end region 44 is located on the back side of the insertion path 10, and a rotation position in which the one end region 44 or the other end region 44 is located on the back side of the insertion path 10 when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position. and engaging portions 54A, 68 which engage with the electrode portion 20 and the end region 46. When the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position and the electric wire 100 with the conductive portion 102 at the tip exposed is pushed into the depth of the insertion path 10, the tip of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) pushes the one end region 44 toward the depth, disengaging the one end region 44 or the other end region 46 from the engaging portions 54A, 68 and rotating member 40 in the direction of the second rotation position. At the same time, the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) is pushed by the end 30A of the spring member 30 and comes into contact with the electrode portion 20, and sound is generated due to the vibration of the member when the engagement between the one end region 44 or the other end region and the engaging portions is disengaged.

[0066] When the insertion of the electric wire 100 is completed, the engagement between the one end region 44 or the other end region 46 and the engagement portion 54A, 68 is released, causing vibration of the members to generate sound, thereby notifying the worker of the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100. If the worker is inserting the electric wire 100 while touching the housing 60, the worker can recognize the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100 not only by the sound but also by the vibration transmitted from the housing 60.

[0067] In any of the first to third embodiments of the present disclosure, the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 can be reliably notified by simply adding one member (the rotating member 40) to the conventionally existing electrode portion, spring member, frame, and housing. Since only one member (the rotating member 40) is added, it is possible to avoid the device becoming larger. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact push-in type terminal block 2, 2', 2'' that can notify the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 with a small number of members.

[0068] Although an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, the disclosed contents may vary in details of the configuration, and changes in the combination and order of elements in the embodiment may be realized without departing from the scope and concept of the claimed disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 2 Push-in terminal blocks. 10 Insertion Path 12 Jig insertion path 20 Electrode part 22 Main body 22A Insertion path side area 22B Spring member support area 22C Connecting Area 24 Connection 26 Convex 28 Mounting protrusion 30 Spring member 30A end 32 Mounting hole 40 Rotating member 42 Shaft 44 One end region 44A Contact part 46 Other end area 46A Contact part 48 Spring contact part 50 frames 52 Shaft hole 54 Recess 54A Projection (engaging part) 56 Engagement protrusion 60 Case 62 Wire opening 64 Jig opening 66 Engagement hole 68 Projection (engaging part) 70 Release member 72 Guide member 100 wire 102 Conductive part 104 Insulation 110 Jig

Claims

1. an insertion path into which the electric wire is inserted; An electrode portion disposed along the insertion path; a spring member facing the electrode portion across the insertion path and biased in a direction such that an end portion of the spring member approaches the electrode portion; a rotating member that rotates about a rotation axis, has one end region disposed within the insertion path, and rotates between a first rotation position where the one end region is located on the front side of the insertion path and a second rotation position where the one end region is located on the back side of the insertion path; an engagement portion that engages with the one end region or the other end region when the rotating member is in the first rotation position; Equipped with When an electric wire with an exposed conductive portion at its tip is pushed into the depth of the insertion path while the rotating member is in the first rotation position, the tip of the electric wire pushes the one end region toward the depth, disengaging the one end region or the other end region from the engaging portion and rotating the rotating member toward the second rotation position, and the electric wire is pushed by the end of the spring member to contact the electrode portion, A push-in terminal block in which sound is generated by vibration of a member when the engagement between the one end region or the other end region and the engagement portion is released.

2. a frame that rotatably supports the rotating member, a protrusion that functions as an engagement portion that engages with the other end region when the rotation member is in the first rotation position is formed on the frame; 2. The push-in terminal block according to claim 1, wherein when a force is applied to rotate the rotating member in a direction from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the other end region overcomes the protrusion and is disengaged.

3. a housing arranged to cover the rotating member, a protrusion that functions as an engagement portion that engages with the one end region or the other end region when the rotating member is in the first rotation position is formed on an inner surface of the housing; 2. The push-in terminal block according to claim 1, wherein when a force is applied to rotate the rotating member in a direction from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the one end region or the other end region overcomes the protrusion and disengages.

4. a jig insertion path is disposed along the insertion path at a position opposite to the electrode portion; 4. The push-in terminal block according to claim 1, wherein when the electric wire is inserted and the rotating member is in a position rotated from the first rotation position toward the second rotation position, a jig is pushed into the inner side of the jig insertion path, whereby the tip of the jig presses against a side surface of the spring member to separate the end of the spring member from the electric wire, and the spring member presses against the other end region of the rotating member to rotate the rotating member in the direction of the first rotation position, and again engages the other end region of the rotating member with the engaging portion.

5. a release member movable along the insertion path at a position opposite to the electrode portion of the insertion path, 4. The push-in type terminal block according to claim 1, wherein when the electric wire is inserted and the rotating member is in a position rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the release member is pushed from the front side to the rear side, whereby the tip of the release member presses a side surface of the spring member to separate the end of the spring member from the electric wire, and the spring member presses the other end region of the rotating member to rotate the rotating member in the direction of the first rotation position, and again engages the other end region of the rotating member with the engagement portion.

Images