Packing assembly and manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing packing assembly

Abstract

To provide a packing assembly in which packing assembly workability is improved, and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly.SOLUTION: A packing assembly includes: a terminal-holding portion 20 including a plate-shaped terminal 2, an embedded portion 61 in which a portion of the terminal is embedded, and a tubular portion 63 that is provided continuously with the embedded portion and surrounds the terminal; and a ring-shaped packing 5 that is externally fitted to the terminal and seals an internal space S of the tubular portion, where the embedded portion is provided with an air vent mechanism 62 that discharges air on a side in an externally fitting direction Y2 of the packing in the internal space to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packing assembly and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a terminal block that is inserted into an opening hole provided in a housing of an apparatus or the like and bolted to the housing to provide electrical continuity between the inside and outside of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional terminal block. As shown in FIG. 7, an example of the terminal block includes a terminal 102, a housing 106 having an embedded portion 161 in which a part of the terminal 102 is embedded, and a cylindrical portion 162 having an accommodation space 106S continuous with the embedded portion 161 and accommodating the terminal 102, a packing 105 that is inserted around the terminal 102 and closes the accommodation space 106S, and a holder (not shown) that is assembled to the cylindrical portion 162. In such a conventional terminal block 101, the packing 105 is provided in close contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the terminal 102 and the cylindrical portion 162, ensuring waterproofness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-211933 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional terminal block 101, the embedded portion 161 of the housing 106 is configured to be solid by embedding a part of the terminal 102. Therefore, when the packing 105 is inserted onto the terminal 102 while the terminal 102 is supported by the housing 106, the side of the packing 105 in the insertion direction (the front in the traveling direction) in the accommodation space 106S becomes the sealed area 101A, and a large insertion force is required to insert the packing 105. This makes the assembly workability of the packing 105 poor.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a packing assembly which improves the workability of assembling a packing, and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above objects, the invention described in claim 1 is a packing assembly comprising: a terminal holding portion including a plate-shaped terminal, an embedded portion in which a portion of the terminal is embedded, and a tubular portion provided contiguous with the embedded portion and surrounding the terminal; and a ring-shaped gasket that is inserted around the terminal and seals the internal space of the tubular portion, wherein the embedded portion is provided with an air vent mechanism that exhausts air on the side of the internal space in the direction of insertion of the gasket to the outside. The invention described in claim 3 is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly described in claim 2, comprising: a die for inserting the terminal into and forming the terminal holding portion; a first insert for forming the first passage; and a pair of second inserts for forming the pair of second passages, the pair of second inserts being rod-shaped, the first insert having a cylindrical first insert body into which the terminal can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes provided in the first insert body, into which each of the pair of second inserts is inserted. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the workability of assembling the packing can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the terminal block. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the terminal block is manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional terminal block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block 1 to which a packing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1.

[0010] The terminal block 1 of this embodiment is bolted to a support having an assembly hole, and provides electrical continuity between a pair of connection objects provided inside and outside the support. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block 1 includes a terminal holding part 20 (shown in Figure 1) that holds three terminals 2, a holder 3 that is assembled to the terminal holding part 20 and supports each terminal 2, a ring-shaped holding part packing 4 that is interposed between the terminal holding part 20 and the periphery of the assembly hole, and a ring-shaped terminal packing 5 (packing) that is attached to each terminal 2. The terminal holding part 20 and the terminal packing 5 (packing) form a packing assembly.

[0011] 2, the moving direction when the terminal packing 5 is extrapolated onto the terminal 2 may be referred to as the "front-rear direction" and indicated by the "arrow Y," the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction Y and in which the three terminals 2 are lined up may be referred to as the "left-right direction" and indicated by the "arrow X," and the direction perpendicular to the arrows X and Y may be referred to as the "up-down direction" and indicated by the "arrow Z." Also, one side of the arrow Y (the front side in FIG. 2) may be referred to as the "forward Y1," and the opposite other side (the back side in FIG. 2, the direction in which the terminal packing 5 is extrapolated onto the terminal 2) may be referred to as the "rear Y2."

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal holding portion 20 comprises three terminals 2 and a resin molded portion 6 that holds these three terminals 2, and these three terminals 2 are integrally formed by being insert molded into the resin molded portion 6.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the three terminals 2 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X. Each terminal 2 is formed by bending a rectangular metal plate into an L-shape, and includes a horizontal plate portion 2A and an orthogonal plate portion 2B that is bent at an end portion of the rear Y2 of the horizontal plate portion 2A and extends in one direction (downward) in the up-down direction Z. The horizontal plate portion 2A is provided so as to extend in a plane including the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X, and the orthogonal plate portion 2B is provided so as to extend in a plane including the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction X. A first bolt hole 2a is provided at the front end portion (end portion away from the orthogonal plate portion 2B) of the horizontal plate portion 2A, which is to be bolted to one of a pair of connection objects, and a second bolt hole 2b is provided at the lower end portion (end portion away from the horizontal plate portion 2A) of the orthogonal plate portion 2B, which is to be bolted to the other of the pair of connection objects.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the resin molding portion 6 is provided in a block shape and includes an embedded portion 61 in which the intermediate portion of the three terminals 2 in the front-to-rear direction Y (the portion on the rear Y2 side of the horizontal plate portion 2A) is embedded, an air vent mechanism 62 provided in the embedded portion 61, a tubular portion 63 provided contiguous with the front Y1 of the embedded portion 61 and having an accommodating space S inside which the terminals 2 are accommodated, and a flange portion 64 extending in a brim-like shape at the rear Y2 of the embedded portion 61 and having a pair of bolt holes 6a, 6a (shown in Figure 2).

[0015] 3, the embedded portion 61 is provided with a packing accommodating portion 610 for accommodating the retaining portion packing 4 on its outer periphery. The packing accommodating portion 610 is provided in front of second passages 62B1, 62B2 in the air bleeding mechanism 62 described later in the front-rear direction Y. The packing accommodating portion 610 is configured by cutting out the entire periphery of the outer periphery of the embedded portion 61 in a concave groove shape. The embedded portion 61 is configured to be inserted and supported, via the retaining portion packing 4, into an assembly hole provided in the support body with the retaining portion packing 4 described later accommodated in the packing accommodating portion 610.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the air vent mechanism 62 includes a first passage 62A provided around the terminal 2 with the axis in the front-rear direction Y, and a pair of second passages 62B1, 62B2 continuing to the first passage 62A. As shown in Fig. 4, the first passage 62A is provided such that a front end 62Af (one end) is connected to a storage space S located inside a cylindrical portion 63 described later, and is provided to extend in a straight line toward the rear Y2. The pair of second passages 62B1, 62B2 are configured to continue to a rear end 62Ab (the other end) of the first passage 62A, are provided on both sides of the terminal 2, and extend in a straight line in the up-down direction Z extending in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 63. Such an air vent mechanism 62 is configured to be able to discharge air inside the storage space S to the outside via the first passage 62A and the pair of second passages 62B1, 62B2.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylindrical portion 63 is partitioned in the left-right direction X by two partition portions 65 to have three spaces (accommodating spaces S).

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the holder 3 comprises a plate-shaped holder main body 31 having three terminal holes 30 for inserting each of the terminals 2 and abutting the front end surface of the tubular portion 63 in the resin molded portion 6, three inserted portions 32 which are cylindrically formed continuous with the inner surfaces of the terminal holes 30 of the holder main body 31 and are inserted into each of the accommodating spaces S, and a plate-shaped insulating plate 33 which protrudes forward Y1 of the holder main body 31 and is provided between adjacent terminal holes 30 to insulate the terminals 2 from each other.

[0019] 2, the number of terminal packings 5 ​​provided is the same as the number of terminals 2 (three). The terminal packings 5 ​​are configured to be fitted onto the horizontal plate portion 2A of each terminal 2 and positioned inside the accommodation space S provided in the resin molded portion 6. Such terminal packings 5 ​​are provided in close contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of each terminal 2 and each accommodation space S and configured to prevent water from entering the accommodation space S rearward Y2.

[0020] Next, a manufacturing apparatus 10 for manufacturing the terminal holding portion 20 of the terminal block 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] 5 and 6, the manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a die (not shown) for insert-molding the three terminals 2 into the resin molded portion 6, three first inserts 11 into which the horizontal plate portions 2A of the terminals 2 are inserted, and a pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 corresponding to each of the first inserts 11. The die is formed in a box shape capable of forming the resin molded portion 6 while supporting the three terminals 2 at predetermined positions.

[0022] 5, the first nesting member 11 includes a cylindrical first nesting member body 110 into which the terminal 2 can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes 111, 111 that are provided in the first nesting member body 110 and into which the pair of second nesting members 12A1, 12A2 are inserted, respectively. The first nesting member body 110 is formed in a rectangular tube shape having an upper wall 112 and a lower wall 113 that face each other in the up-down direction Z, and a pair of side walls 114, 114 that face each other in the left-right direction X. The first nesting member body 110 is configured so that the horizontal plate portion 2A of the terminal 2 is inserted therein.

[0023] 6, the pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are provided at the rear end of the first insert body 110. One of the pair of insertion holes 111, 111 is provided in the upper wall 112, and the other is provided in the lower wall 113. The pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are provided in the center of each wall 112, 113 in the left-right direction X (the center in the width direction), and are also provided at positions facing each other in the up-down direction Z.

[0024] 6, the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are provided in a rod shape and configured to be insertable into a pair of insertion holes 111, 111 provided in the first insert 11. Such a pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are configured to be inserted into the insertion holes 111 with each terminal 2 inserted into the first insert body 110, and to position each terminal 2 in the up-down direction Z.

[0025] When the terminal holding portion 20 is manufactured using such a mold, the first insert 11, and the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2, the front end of each terminal 2 is inserted close to the rear end of each first insert 11. When each terminal 2 reaches a predetermined position, the insertion of each terminal 2 is stopped, and the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are inserted into the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, and each terminal 2 is sandwiched vertically by the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 to position each terminal 2. In this state, molten resin is poured into the mold and the resin is hardened. Thereafter, the molded product is removed from the mold, the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are pulled out from the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, and each first insert 11 is moved forward Y1 of each terminal 2, and each first insert 11 is pulled out. In this manner, a first passage 62A is formed in the portion where the first insert 11 is disposed, and second passages 62B1, 62B2 are formed in the portions where the second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are disposed. In this manner, the terminal holding portion 20 into which the terminals 2 are inserted is formed.

[0026] Next, when assembling the terminal block 1, the terminal holding portion 20, the holder 3, the packing 4 for the holding portion, and the packing 5 for the terminals are each manufactured in advance. The terminal holding portion 20 is formed by insert molding the three terminals 2 into the resin molded portion 6. That is, the three terminals 2 and the resin molded portion 6 are integrally formed.

[0027] First, the terminal packing 5 is fitted onto the horizontal plate portion 2A of each terminal 2 provided in the terminal holding portion 20, and the terminal packing 5 is moved to the rear Y2 of the terminal 2. At this time, in the accommodation space S, air behind the terminal packing 5 at the rear Y2 is discharged to the outside through the first passage 62A and the second passage 62B1, and is also discharged to the outside through the first passage 62A and the second passage 62B2. In this way, the terminal packing 5 is attached to the predetermined position of each terminal 2, and the accommodation space S is sealed by the terminal packing 5.

[0028] Thereafter, the holder 3 is moved backward Y2 so that each inserted portion 32 of the holder 3 approaches the tip of each terminal 2 and the terminal 2 is inserted into each inserted portion 32. As the movement continues, the inserted portion 32 is accommodated in each accommodation space S. As the movement continues, the holder body 31 abuts against the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 63 in the resin molded portion 6. Thereafter, the retaining portion packing 4 is inserted into the terminal retaining portion 20 and accommodated in the packing accommodation portion 610. In this manner, the attachment of the holder 3 to the terminal retaining portion 20 is completed. This completes the assembly of the terminal block 1.

[0029] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the terminal holding part 20 includes a plate-shaped terminal 2, an embedded part 61 in which a part of the terminal 2 is embedded, a cylindrical part 63 provided continuously with the embedded part 61 and surrounding the terminal 2, and a ring-shaped terminal packing 5 (packing) that is inserted around the terminal 2 and seals the accommodation space S (internal space) of the cylindrical part 63. The embedded part 61 is provided with an air vent mechanism 62 that discharges air in the accommodation space S behind the terminal packing 5 at a position Y2 (the side in the direction of the terminal packing 5 being inserted) to the outside. According to this, the air vent mechanism 62 is provided, and the air in the accommodation space S behind the terminal packing 5 at a position Y2 is discharged (air vented) to the outside through the air vent mechanism 62. Therefore, when each terminal packing 5 is inserted around each terminal 2, the insertion force required to insert the terminal packing 5 is reduced, and the workability of assembling the terminal packing 5 is improved.

[0030] The air bleed mechanism 62 has a first passage 62A whose front end 62Af (one end) is provided in communication with the accommodation space S (internal space) and extends rearward Y2 (direction away from the terminal packing 5 (packing)), and second passages 62B1, 62B2 which are continuous with a rear end 62Ab (the other end) of the first passage 62A and extend in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 63, and the second passages 62B1, 62B2 are provided in pairs on both sides of the terminal 2 in the radial direction (up-down direction Z). When the terminal packing 5 is inserted into the terminal 2, a configuration can be realized in which the insertion force required to insert the terminal packing 5 is reduced.

[0031] The manufacturing device 10 for manufacturing the packing assembly includes a die for inserting the terminal 2 to form the terminal holding portion 20, a first insert 11 for inserting the terminal 2 and forming the first passage 62A, and a pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 for forming the pair of second passages 62B1, 62B2, the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 being rod-shaped, the first insert 11 including a cylindrical first insert body 110 into which the terminal 2 can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes 111, 111 provided in the first insert body 110 and into which the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are inserted, respectively. According to this, during insert molding, the terminal 2 is sandwiched and supported by the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 inserted into the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, so that the positional accuracy of the terminal 2 is improved.

[0032] The pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are provided at positions facing each other in the vertical direction Z (a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body 110). This improves the positional accuracy of the terminal 2 in the terminal holding portion 20 in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] The pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are provided at the center in the left-right direction X (the width direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body 110). This allows the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 to stably support the terminal 2 within the die. This further improves the positional accuracy of the terminal 2 in the terminal holding portion 20.

[0034] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modified examples are also included in the present invention.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the terminal block 1 is described as an example including a terminal holding portion 20 for holding three terminals 2, a holder 3 assembled to the terminal holding portion 20 to support each terminal 2, a ring-shaped packing for holding portion 4 interposed between the terminal holding portion 20 and the periphery of the assembly hole, and a ring-shaped terminal packing 5 (packing) attached to each terminal 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient to have a packing assembly including at least the terminal holding portion 20 and the terminal packing 5. In this case, the holder 3 and the packing for holding portion 4 may be omitted.

[0036] In addition, in the above embodiment, three terminals 2 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one terminal 2 needs to be provided, and the number of terminals 2 may be two, or four or more.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the air bleed mechanism 62 is configured to include a first passage 62A provided around the terminal 2 with its axis in the front-rear direction Y, and a pair of second passages 62B1, 62B2 continuing to the first passage 62A, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air bleed mechanism may be configured to include the first passage 62A and one second passage continuing to the first passage 62A and extending in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 63, or, for example, when there is one or two terminals 2, three or more second passages may be provided.

[0038] In addition, the best configurations and methods for implementing the present invention are disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention has been mainly illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments, but those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions limiting the shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative descriptions for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention, and therefore descriptions of the names of components that are free of some or all of the limitations on the shapes, materials, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 2 Terminal 20 Terminal holding part 5 Terminal packing (packing) 61 Buried section 63 Cylindrical part 62 Air bleed mechanism 62A 1st Aisle 62Af Front end (one end) of the first passage 62Ab Rear end (other end) of the first passage 62B1, 62B2 A pair of second passages 10 Manufacturing equipment 11 First nesting 110 First insert body 111, 111 A pair of insertion holes 12A1, 12A2 Pair of second inserts S Storage space (internal space of the cylindrical part) Z Up-down direction (orthogonal to the axis of the first insert body) X Left-right direction (width direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body)

Claims

1. a terminal holder including a plate-shaped terminal, an embedded portion in which a portion of the terminal is embedded, and a tubular portion provided contiguous with the embedded portion and surrounding the terminal; a ring-shaped packing that is fitted onto the terminal and seals the internal space of the cylindrical portion, The packing assembly is characterized in that the embedded portion is provided with an air vent mechanism that discharges air on the side of the internal space in the direction of the extrapolation of the packing to the outside.

2. the air vent mechanism includes a first passage, one end of which is connected to the internal space and which extends in a direction away from the packing, and a second passage, which is continuous with the other end of the first passage and which extends in a radial direction of the cylindrical portion, 2. The packing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second passages are provided in a pair on both sides of the terminal in the radial direction.

3. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly according to claim 2, a die for inserting the terminal into the die to form the terminal holding portion, a first insert for inserting the terminal into the die to form the first passage, and a pair of second inserts for forming the pair of second passages, The pair of second inserts are provided in a rod shape, the first insert comprises a cylindrical first insert body into which the terminal can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes provided in the first insert body, into which the pair of second inserts are respectively inserted.

4. 4. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pair of insertion holes are provided at positions facing each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the first insert body.

5. 5. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pair of insertion holes are provided at a center portion in a width direction perpendicular to an axis of the first insert body.

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