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 44A that is engaged with an end part 30A of the spring member 30 in a state where the rotational member 40 is the first rotational position. When an electric wire 100 is pushed therein, the spring member 30 and the engagement part 44A are disengaged 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 an end part 30A of the spring member 30 as well as a sound occurs when the end part 30A of the spring member 30 is contacted to the electric wire 100.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] Push-in terminal blocks are known 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, a push-in terminal block has been proposed that includes a spring member that brings an exposed conductive part at the tip of an electric wire inserted into the terminal block into contact with an 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 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 engaging portion formed in at least the one end region or the other end region, which engages with the spring member, the end of which is located at a position spaced apart from the electrode against a biasing force, when the rotating member is in the first rotation position; Equipped with When the rotating member is in the first rotation position and an electric wire with an exposed conductive portion at the tip is pushed toward the rear of the insertion path, the tip of the electric wire pushes the one end region toward the rear, causing the rotating member to rotate toward the second rotation position, disengaging the spring member from the engaging portion, the end of the spring member hits the electric wire, making a sound, and the electric wire is pushed by the end of the spring member into contact with the electrode portion. 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 electric wire is inserted further to the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 7B, whereby the engagement between the spring member and the engagement portion is released and the electric wire is pushed by the spring member into contact with the electrode. FIG. [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 toward the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 8A to rotate the rotation member to the first rotation position, and the spring member and the engagement portion are engaged again. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a spring member constituting a push-in type terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 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 11] 11 is a perspective view showing a main portion of a push-in type terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure in which the members shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are attached to a frame. FIG. [Figure 12A] 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 12B] 12B is a side view showing the state where the release member is further inserted into the rear side from the state shown in FIG. 12A to rotate the rotation member to the first rotation position, and the spring member and the engagement portion are engaged again. FIG. 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. A shaft hole 52 into which the shaft 42 of the rotating member 40 is inserted is formed in a support portion 54 of the frame 50. Furthermore, an engagement protrusion 56 for fixing the housing 60 is formed in the frame 50.

[0014] <Electrode section> 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 comes into contact with the protrusion 26 which is a part of the electrode portion 20, thereby establishing electrical continuity with the electrode portion 20. An attachment protrusion 28 for attaching 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 substantially L-shaped side shape with members extending from the shaft portion 42 on both sides, and has one end region 44 and the other end region 46. In this embodiment, except for one end region 44, two members of the same shape extend to have a space in the center, and the shaft portion 42 protrudes inward from the two members. The support portion 54 of the frame 50 is disposed in the space between the two members, and the shaft portion 42 of the rotating member 40 is inserted into the shaft hole portion 52 formed in the support portion 54 of the frame 50. As a result, the rotating member 40 rotates around the rotation axis G. That is, the rotating member 40 is rotatably supported by the frame 50 (support portion 54).

[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 where the one end region 44 is located on the front side of the insertion passage 10 and a second rotation position where 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 one end region 44 is formed with a step portion 44A that engages with the end 30A of the spring member 30 located at a position separated from the electrode portion 20 (insertion passage side region 22A) against the biasing force. 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. The end 30A of the spring member 30 is biased in a direction approaching the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A), and if there is no constraint, the end 30A of the spring member 30 is in a position in contact with the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). In this embodiment, when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position, a step portion 44A formed in one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 engages with the end 30A of the spring member 30 located at a position separated from the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) against the biasing force. This step portion 44A functions as an engagement portion that engages with the spring member 30 when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position. However, it can also be considered that the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 and the step portion 44A of the rotating member 40 constitute an engagement portion that engages with the spring member 30 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 engagement between the spring member and the engaging part is released, and the electric wire is pushed by the spring member and contacts the electrode. 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 a first rotation position and the end 30A of the spring member 30 is engaged with the engaging portion (step portion) 44A of one end region 44 of the rotating member 40, 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] As the electric wire 100 is 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. As 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 pushing the electric wire 100. As a result, the engagement between the end 30A of the spring member 30 and the step portion 44A formed in one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 is released, as shown in Fig. 7C. Accordingly, the rotating member 40 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

[0031] On the other hand, the end 30A of the spring member 30 moves quickly in a direction approaching the electrode portion 20 due to the biasing force, and hits the side of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102). The electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) is pushed by the end 30A of the spring member 30, and 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 30A of the spring member 30 and hits the protrusion 26 located on the front side of the end 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 electrically connected to the circuit via the electrode portion 20 (protrusion 26). This completes the insertion of the electric wire 100.

[0032] When the end 30A of the spring member 30 hits the side of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102), a sound is generated. This sound can notify the worker that the insertion of the electric wire 100 is complete. In addition, the impact generated when the spring member 30 hits the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) is also transmitted to the frame 50, the housing 60, etc., causing them to vibrate. Therefore, when the worker is inserting the electric wire 100 while touching the housing 60, the worker can recognize that the end 30A of the spring member 30 hits the side of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) not only by the sound but also by the vibration.

[0033] At approximately the same time when the engagement is released and the end 30A of the spring member 30 hits the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) and generates a sound or vibration, the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) comes into contact with the protrusion 26 provided on the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A) and is electrically connected to the circuit. That is, the sound or vibration generated when the end 30A of the spring member 30 hits the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) can notify the worker that the insertion of the electric wire 100 is complete. In addition, the biasing force of the spring member 30 presses the tip of the electric wire 100 (conductive portion 102) against the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A), so that the resistance to the pushing of the electric wire 100 increases. This also allows the worker to recognize the completion of the insertion of the electric wire 100.

[0034] The spring member 30 preferably 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) and the operator can easily push the electric wire 100 in. If the electric wire 100 is pulled out toward the operator after the electric wire 100 has been completely inserted, 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 reliably prevents the electric wire 100, which has been completely inserted, from coming out of the push-in terminal block 2.

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

[0036] The second rotation position of the rotating member 40 is a rotation position where the engagement between the spring member 30 and the step portion 44A of the rotating member 40 is reliably released, even taking into consideration the manufacturing tolerance of the members, wear of the members, and the like. 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 where the engagement between the spring member 30 and the step portion 44A is reliably released. Therefore, in addition to the sound and vibration, the feeling that the pushed-in end of the electric wire 100 has been reached can also serve as a secondary recognition of the completion of insertion 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 the rotating member 40 rotates a predetermined angle after the end 30A of the spring member 30 abuts against the electric wire 100 (the conductive portion 102). 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 the electric wire 100 reaches the second rotation position.

[0038] As described above, in the push-in type terminal block 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a step portion 44A that engages with the end 30A of the spring member 30 when the rotating member 40 is in the first rotation position is formed in one end region 44 of the rotating member 40, and when the one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 is pressed by the electric wire 100 inserted into the insertion path 10 and the rotating member 40 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the engagement between the end 30A of the spring member 30 and the step portion 44A is disengaged.

[0039] In this embodiment, the step portion 44A, which functions as an engagement portion, is formed in one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 that is pressed by the electric wire 100, so that the rotating member 40 can be reliably engaged and disengaged 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 spring member 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 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 against the biasing force. 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] Further, by pushing the jig 110 inwards, the end 30A of the spring member 30 moves further away from the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). Then, the surface of the spring member 30 facing the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40 comes into contact with the spring contact portion 48 formed on the other end region 46 of the rotating member 40.

[0043] 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. Then, in FIG. 8B, the end 30A of the spring member 30 moves to the right and slightly downward, and the step portion 44A of the rotating member 40 moves generally upward, so that the end 30A of the spring member 30 and the step portion 44A of the rotating member 40 engage with each other again. This allows the initial state to be restored. Then, the jig 110 is pulled out of the push-in terminal block 2. In this embodiment, while the rotating member 40 pushed by the spring member 30 rotates toward the first rotation position, the end 30A of the spring member 30 hits one end region 44 of the rotating member 40, bending the rotating member 40 in a direction slightly expanding. As a result, the rotating member 40 rotates to the first rotation position while the end 30A of the spring member 30 slides on the surface of the one end region 44 of the rotating member 40. At the first rotation position, the bending of the rotating member 40 is released and returns to the original state, and the end 30A of the spring member is formed to engage with the step portion 44A of the rotating member 40 again.

[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 into the back of the jig insertion path 12, whereby the jig 110 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 spring member 30 with the engagement portion (step portion) 44A.

[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 end 30A of the spring member 30 can be reliably engaged with the engagement portion (step portion) 44A of one end region 44 of the rotating member 40 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. 11. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a spring member constituting the push-in terminal block according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a rotating member constituting the push-in terminal block according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a main part of the push-in terminal block according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure in which the members shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are attached to a frame.

[0047] In the above-described first embodiment, the region for engaging the rotating member 40 is formed in one end region 44, but in the second embodiment, the region for engaging the rotating member 80 is formed in the other end region 84, which is different. Furthermore, an insertion portion 86 formed in the other end region 84 is adapted to be engaged with or disengaged from a spring opening 34 formed in the spring member 30.

[0048] In the spring member 30 according to this embodiment, a spring opening 34, which is a through hole, is formed in a region near the end portion 30A. The spring opening 34 has a shape in which a large opening 34A having a width dimension L1 is connected to a small opening 34B having a width dimension L2. The relationship is L1 > L2.

[0049] The rotating member 80 according to this embodiment has two identical members extending to have a space in the center, except for one end region 82 and the other end region 84, and a shaft portion protruding inward from the two members. The support portion 54 of the frame 50 is disposed in the space between the two members, and the shaft portion of the rotating member 80 is inserted into the shaft hole portion 52 formed in the support portion 54 of the frame 50. This causes the rotating member 80 to rotate around the rotation axis G. In other words, the rotating member 80 is rotatably supported by the frame 50 (support portion 54).

[0050] An insertion portion 86 is formed at the tip of the other end region 84, in which a wide portion 86A with a width dimension W1 is connected to a narrow portion 86B with a width dimension W2. The relationship is W1 > W2. A leg portion 88 extends from one end region 82 of the rotating member 80. A contact portion 88A is formed at the tip of the leg portion 88. As described later, the contact portion 88A at the tip of the leg portion 88 abuts against the connecting region 22C of the electrode portion 20, and functions as a spring that returns the rotating member 80 to the first rotation position.

[0051] In a push-in type terminal block 2' according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure in which such a spring member 30 and a rotating member 80 are attached to a frame 50, a width dimension L2 of the small opening 34B of the spring member 30 is smaller than a width dimension W1 of the wide portion 86A of the rotating member 80 and larger than a width dimension W2 of the narrow portion 86B. On the other hand, a width dimension L1 of the large opening 34A of the spring member 30 is larger than a width dimension W1 of the wide portion 86A of the rotating member 80. In other words, there is a relationship of L1 > W1 > L2 > W2.

[0052] 11, when the rotating member 80 is in the first rotation position, the wide portion 86A of the rotating member 80 and the small opening 34B of the spring member 30 are engaged with each other. In this state, when one end region 82 of the rotating member 80 is pushed toward the rear by the electric wire 100 inserted into the insertion path 10, the rotating member 80 tries to rotate from the first rotation position to the second rotation position.

[0053] Due to the biasing force of the spring member 30, the wide portion 86A of the rotating member 80 is in contact with the surface portion around the small opening 34B of the spring member 30 with a predetermined surface pressure, but when the rotating member 80 rotates in the direction of the second rotation position, it slides on the surface portion of the spring member 30 and moves from the position of the small opening 34B to the position of the large opening 34A of the spring member 30. Therefore, the restraint of the wide portion 86A by the small opening 34B is released, and the wide portion 86A passes through the large opening 34A, and the engagement between the spring member 30 and the insertion portion 86 is released. As a result, the end portion 30A of the spring member 30, which has been released from the restraint, comes into contact with the inserted electric wire 100, generating a sound, and the electric wire 100 is electrically connected to the electrode portion 20.

[0054] Therefore, in this embodiment, the wide portion 86A of the insertion portion 86 formed in the other end region 84 of the rotating member 80 functions as an engagement portion that engages with the spring member 30 when the rotating member 80 is in the first rotation position. However, it can also be considered that the spring opening 34 (particularly the small opening 34B) formed in the spring member 30 and the insertion portion 86 (particularly the wide portion 86A) formed in the other end region 84 of the rotating member 80 constitute an engagement portion that engages with the spring member 30 when the rotating member 80 is in the first rotation position.

[0055] When the rotating member 80 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the leg 88 is bent at the contact portion 88A at the tip thereof that abuts against the connecting region 22C of the electrode portion 20. Therefore, the leg 88 functions as a spring having a biasing force that returns the rotating member 80 to the first rotation position.

[0056] As described above, by using the jig 110 to move the end 30A of the spring member 30 away from the electric wire 100 and pull out the electric wire 100 from the insertion path 10, the force holding the rotating member 80 at the position rotated toward the second rotation position is released. Thus, the biasing force of the legs 88 can return the rotating member 80 to the first rotation position. In this case, it is not necessary to use the jig 110 to return the rotating member 80 to the first rotation position.

[0057] Legs 88 that use such a biasing force to return the rotating member 80 to the first rotation position can also be formed on the rotating member 40 according to the first embodiment described above. By employing a spring mechanism that returns the rotating members 40, 80 that have rotated toward the second rotation position to the first rotation position, it is possible to return the rotating member 80 to the first rotation position without using the jig 110.

[0058] As described above, in the push-in type terminal block 2' according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, an insertion portion 86 in which the wide portion 86A and the narrow portion 86B are connected is formed in the other end region 84 of the rotating member 80, and a spring opening 34 in which a large opening 34A through which the wide portion 86A can pass and a small opening 34B through which the narrow portion 86B can pass but the wide portion 86A cannot pass are formed in the spring member 30, and when the rotating member 80 is in the first rotation position, the wide portion 86A and the small opening 34B are engaged with each other. When the rotating member 80 rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the wide portion 86A moves from the small opening 34B to the position of the large opening 34A and passes through the large opening 34A, and the engagement between the spring member 30 and the insertion portion 86 is released.

[0059] In this embodiment, the insertion portion 86 formed in the other end region 84 of the rotating member 80 functions as an engagement portion that engages with the spring member 30 when the rotating member 80 is in the first rotation position, so that the rotating member 40 can be reliably engaged and disengaged without adding any additional members. The other structures are similar to those of the first embodiment described above, so further description will be omitted.

[0060] (Push-in type terminal block according to the third embodiment) Next, a push-in terminal block according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 12A and 12B. Fig. 12A is a side view showing a push-in terminal block according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, in a see-through state of the housing, and shows 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. 12A. Fig. 12B is a side view showing a state in which the release member is further inserted inward from the state shown in Fig. 12A, the rotating member is rotated to the first rotation position, and the spring member and the engaging portion are engaged again. In this embodiment, a rotating member 40 similar to that in the first embodiment is provided. In the drawings, the movements of the electric wires and members are shown by arrows.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] When the insertion of the electric wire 100 is completed and the rotating member 40 is in a position rotated from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, and no force is applied to the releasing member 70, the releasing member 70 is in a state in which a predetermined area on the front side protrudes from the housing 60 due to the biasing force of the spring member 30 that abuts the rear end. When the operator pushes the releasing member 70 to 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 releasing member 70 from the housing 60 decreases, but even after the releasing member 70 is pushed in, a part of the releasing member 70 on the front side protrudes outward from the housing 60.

[0064] Next, a method of using the release member 70 will be described. After 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 release member 70 toward the back as shown in Fig. 12A. This allows the tip of the release member 70 to press 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.

[0065] Further, by pushing the release member 70 inward, the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 moves in a direction further away from the electrode portion 20 (insertion path side region 22A). Then, the spring member 30 abuts against the spring abutment portion 48 formed on the other end portion region 46 of the rotating member 80. This allows the spring member 30 to rotate the other end portion region 46 of the rotating member 40 in the direction of the first rotation position.

[0066] Furthermore, by pushing the release member 70 inwards, the end 30A of the spring member 30 can be again engaged with the engagement portion (step portion) 44A of one end region 44 of the rotating member 40, returning it to its initial state, as shown in FIG. 12B.

[0067] The release member 70 is located at the rear side when the spring member 30 and the engagement portion (step portion) 44A are engaged (see FIG. 12B), and moves to the front side when the engagement between the spring member 30 and the engagement portion (step portion) 44A is released (see FIG. 12A). As described above, the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 can be notified by the sound and vibration generated when the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 abuts against the inserted electric wire 100, but further, the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 can also be notified by the movement of the release member 70 from the rear side to the front side (protruding further from the housing 60).

[0068] 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 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 release member 70 can be pushed from the front side to the back side, causing the release member 70 to press the side of the spring member 30 to move the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 away from the electric wire 100, and the spring member 30 to press 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 engaging the spring member 30 with the engagement portion (step portion) 44A.

[0069] 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, 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 the jig 110. At the same time, the end 30A of the spring member 30 can be reliably engaged with the engaging portion (step portion) 44A again to return to the initial state.

[0070] Furthermore, the release member 70 is positioned at the rear side when the spring member 30 and the engagement portion (step portion) 44A are engaged, and moves to the front side when the engagement between the spring member 30 and the engagement portion (step portion) 44A is released. Therefore, in addition to alerting by sound or vibration, the release member 70 can also move from the rear side to the front side (protruding further from the housing 60) to alert that the insertion of the electric wire 100 has been completed.

[0071] 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 thereto, 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. In this case, the electric wire 100 can be pulled out from the insertion path 10 without using the tool 110.

[0072] 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 members 40, 80 that rotate about the rotation axis G and rotate between a first rotation position in which one end region 44, 82 is arranged within the insertion path 10 and the one end region 44, 82 is located on the front side of the insertion path 10 and a second rotation position in which the one end region 44, 82 is located on the back side of the insertion path 10, and the end portion 30A of the rotating members 40, 80 rotates against the biasing force when the rotating members 40, 80 are in the first rotation position. and an engaging portion 44A, 86A formed in at least one end region 44 or the other end region 84 which engages with the spring member 30 located at a position spaced from the electrode portion 20. When the rotating members 40, 80 are in a first rotation position and an electric wire 100 with an exposed conductive portion 102 at its tip is pushed toward the back of the insertion path 10, the tip of the electric wire 100 pushes one end region 44, 82 toward the back, causing the rotating members 40, 80 to rotate toward the second rotation position, disengaging the spring member 30 from the engaging portions 44A, 86A, and the end 30A of the spring member 30 hits the electric wire 100, making a sound, and the electric wire 100 is pushed by the end 30A of the spring member 30 so as to come into contact with the electrode portion 20.

[0073] When the engagement with the engaging portions 44A, 86A is released and the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 comes into contact with the electric wire 100, sound and vibration are generated, and at approximately the same time, the end portion 30A of the spring member 30 pushes the electric wire 100 and electrically connects it to the electrode portion 20. Thus, the sound can notify the worker that the insertion of the electric wire 100 is complete. 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.

[0074] It is also conceivable that the engaging portion that engages with the spring member is formed on a metal plate member having the same elasticity as the spring member. In such a case, the engagement between the spring member and the engaging portion is released with the deformation of the metal plate member. In such a case, the deformation mode and elastic coefficient of the metal plate member differ slightly depending on the individual product, so that the timing at which the engagement between the spring member and the engaging portion is released may vary. In particular, with repeated use, the deformation mode and elastic coefficient of the metal plate member change, so that the timing at which the engagement between the spring member and the engaging portion is released may change.

[0075] On the other hand, in the push-in terminal blocks 2, 2', 2'' according to the above-described first to third embodiments, the rotating members 40, 80 do not basically deform, but rotate around the rotation axis G to release the engagement between the spring member 30 and the engaging portions 44A, 86A. This has the advantage that there is little variation between products, and the timing at which the engagement between the spring member 30 and the engaging portions 44A, 86A is less likely to change even with repeated use.

[0076] 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 members 40, 80) to the conventionally existing spring member, spring member, frame, and housing. Since only one member (the rotating members 40, 80) is added, it is possible to avoid the device becoming larger. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact push-in terminal block 2, 2', 2'' that can notify the completion of insertion of the electric wire 100 with a small number of members.

[0077] 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]

[0078] 2 Push-in terminal blocks. 10 Insertion Path 12 Jig insertion path 20 Electrode section 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 34 Spring opening 34A large opening 34B Small opening 40 Rotating member 42 Shaft 44 One end region 44A Step 46 Other end area 48 Spring contact part 50 frames 52 Shaft hole 54 Support part 56 Engagement protrusion 60 Case 62 Wire opening 64 Jig opening 66 Engagement hole 70 Release member 72 Guide member 80 Rotating member 82 One end region 84 Other end area 86 Insertion part 86A Wide section 86B Narrow part 88 Legs 88A contact part 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 engaging portion formed in at least one of the one end region and the other end region, the engaging portion engaging with the spring member, the end of which is located at a position spaced apart from the electrode against a biasing force, 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, causing the rotating member to rotate in the direction of the second rotation position, disengaging the spring member from the engaging portion, causing the end of the spring member to hit the electric wire and making a sound, and the electric wire is pushed by the end of the spring member to contact the electrode portion.

2. a step portion that engages with an end of the spring member when the rotating member is in the first rotation position is formed in the one end region of the rotating member; 2. The push-in terminal block according to claim 1, wherein when the rotating member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the end of the spring member disengages from the stepped portion.

3. An insertion portion is formed in the other end region of the rotating member, the insertion portion being formed by connecting the wide portion and the narrow portion, a spring opening is formed in the spring member, the spring opening being connected to a large opening through which the wide portion can pass and a small opening through which the narrow portion can pass but the wide portion cannot pass; 2. The push-in terminal block according to claim 1, wherein when the rotating member is in the first rotation position, the wide portion and the small opening are engaged with each other, and when the rotating member rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the wide portion moves from the small opening to the position of the large opening and passes through the large opening, disengaging the spring member from the insertion portion.

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 jig 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, thereby engaging the spring member with the engaging portion again.

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 back side, whereby 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, thereby engaging the spring member with the engaging portion.

6. 6. The push-in terminal block according to claim 5, wherein the release member is positioned at the rear side when the spring member and the engagement portion are engaged with each other, and moves to the front side when the engagement between the spring member and the engagement portion is released.

Images