Switch and method for manufacturing switch

Abstract

To provide a current detector in a switch in which a connecting conductor is connected to a circuit board.SOLUTION: A connecting conductor of a single-phase three-wire switch includes a terminal (11U) exposed to the outside from an insulating frame (2), a first extension portion (11u1) extending inward from the terminal, and a second extension portion (11u2) that changes direction, extends from the first extension portion, and is connected to the circuit board, and a spacer (8u) is fixed to the first extension portion and is inscribed in a through hole of a current detector (50u).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch and a method for manufacturing the switch.

Background Art

[0002] A single-phase three-wire switch is a switch applied to a relatively low-voltage circuit such as a circuit in a building such as a house. As a configuration of a single-phase three-wire switch, it has been proposed to provide a circuit board into which a current flowing through the circuit is introduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a switch having such a configuration, it is also expected to incorporate a function of detecting the current in the circuit. However, regarding how to specifically mount a current detector, which is a current sensor, in a switch having a configuration including a circuit board, it has not been sufficiently studied in the past.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a single-phase three-wire switch, comprising an insulating frame that constitutes at least a part of the housing of the switch, a connecting conductor fixed to the insulating frame, and a circuit board housed inside the housing. The single-phase three-wire switch further comprises a current detector having a ring-shaped form provided with a through-hole and capable of detecting a current passing through the through-hole, and a spacer. The connecting conductor has a terminal exposed to the outside from the insulating frame, a first extension extending inward from the terminal, and a second extension extending from the first extension toward the circuit board while changing the extending direction from the first extension and being electrically connected to the circuit board. The current detector is mounted on the connecting conductor with the first extension passing through the through-hole, and the spacer is fixed to the first extension of the connecting conductor and is inscribed in the through-hole of the current detector.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a single-phase three-wire switch comprising an insulating frame that constitutes at least a part of the housing, a connecting conductor fixed to the insulating frame, a circuit board housed inside the housing, a current detector having a ring-shaped form provided with a through-hole and capable of detecting a current passing through the through-hole, and a spacer. The connecting conductor has a terminal exposed to the outside from the insulating frame, a first extension extending inward from the terminal, and a second extension extending from the first extension while changing the extending direction from the first extension. The spacer is provided on the first extension. The method includes, in this order, a step of engaging the current detector with the connecting conductor so that the current detector passes through the through-hole from the second extension of the connecting conductor fixed to the insulating frame, a step of moving the current detector along the connecting conductor up to the first extension, a step of mounting the current detector on the connecting conductor at the first extension so that the spacer is inscribed in the through-hole of the current detector, and a step of soldering an end portion of the second extension to the circuit board.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a switch having a circuit board inside for introducing the current of a line, a switch equipped with a current detector for detecting the current of the line can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Each component, each material, and each numerical value described in this specification are all merely examples unless there is no particular contradiction. Therefore, for example, unless there is no particular contradiction, the positional relationship and connection relationship of each component are not limited to the examples in each figure. The shapes and dimensions (length, width, height, etc.) of the configurations described in each drawing in this application do not necessarily reflect the actual shapes and dimensions, and are appropriately changed for the sake of clarity and simplification of the drawings.

[0010] 〔Embodiment〕 <Overview and Circuit Configuration of Switch 1> The switch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a switch provided in a single-phase three-wire line. As an example, the switch 1 is a switching switch that switches the connection destination of the secondary side line between a first line and a second line, which are two sets of primary side lines. That is, the switch 1 can switch the connection state between two sets of primary side lines connected to the switch 1 and two sets of secondary side lines connected to the switch 1, taking a single-phase three-wire line as one set.

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the switch 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch 1 has an overall substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The housing of the switch 1 mainly includes an insulating frame 2, a cover case 5, and a bottom plate 6 (not shown in FIG. 1) described later.

[0012] Generally, a switch is fixedly used with its bottom surface in contact with a wall surface such as a distribution board. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the switch 1 is referred to as the height direction. Also, regarding the height direction, the side closer to the bottom surface of the switch 1 is expressed as "lower side" or "low", and the side farther from the bottom surface is expressed as "upper side" or "high".

[0013] The cover case 5 is configured to cover the upper side of the insulating frame 2. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the height direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the switch 1 is referred to as the width direction. The side surfaces of the housing of the switch 1 orthogonal to the width direction are the left side surface and the right side surface. In the perspective view of FIG. 1, the right side surface of the housing of the switch 1 appears.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the switch 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch 1 includes a first primary terminal block 11, a second primary terminal block 12, a secondary terminal block 21, and latching relays 33U, 33O, 33W for each pole. The switch 1 also includes a control unit 40, a first current detector 50U, and a second current detector 50W. The three latching relays 33U, 33O, 33W are housed inside the housing of the switch 1. Also, the control unit 40, the first current detector 50U, and the second current detector 50W are housed inside the housing of the switch 1.

[0015] The first primary terminal block 11 is a terminal block for connecting the first line, which is one of the two sets of primary lines connected to the switch 1, to the switch 1. The second primary terminal block 12 is a terminal block for connecting the second line, which is the other of the two sets of primary lines connected to the switch 1, to the switch 1. The secondary terminal block 21 is a terminal block for connecting the secondary line to the switch 1. That is, the switch 1 includes two primary terminal blocks for connecting two sets of primary lines and one secondary terminal block for connecting one set of secondary lines.

[0016] Each of the first primary terminal block 11, the second primary terminal block 12, and the secondary terminal block 21 has three terminals for connecting to each pole (each phase) constituting a single-phase three-wire line, that is, the U pole, the O pole (neutral pole), and the W pole. The first primary terminal block 11 has a U-pole terminal 11U, an O-pole terminal 11O, and a W-pole terminal 11W. The second primary terminal block 12 has a U-pole terminal 12U, an O-pole terminal 12O, and a W-pole terminal 12W. The secondary terminal block 21 has a U-pole terminal 21U, an O-pole terminal 21O, and a W-pole terminal 21W.

[0017] The latching relay 33U is electrically connected to the terminal 11U, the terminal 12U, and the terminal 21U. In this case, the latching relay 33U is a switching relay that switches the connection destination of the terminal 21U between the terminal 11U and the terminal 12U. The latching relay 33O is electrically connected to the terminal 11O, the terminal 12O, and the terminal 21O. In this case, the latching relay 33O is a switching relay that switches the connection destination of the terminal 21O between the terminal 11O and the terminal 12O.

[0018] The latching relay 33W is electrically connected to the terminal 11W, the terminal 12W, and the terminal 21W. In this case, the latching relay 33W is a switching relay that switches the connection destination of the terminal 21W between the terminal 11W and the terminal 12W. Thus, each of the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W is a so-called c-contact type relay.

[0019] Thus, the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W are provided between the primary side terminal block (the first primary side terminal block 11 and the second primary side terminal block 12) and the secondary side terminal block 21, and can independently switch the opening and closing states of each of the three poles constituting the circuit as described above. That is, the control unit 40 can cause only an arbitrary latching relay among the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W to switch, and can also cause the switching to be performed in conjunction with an arbitrary latching relay.

[0020] Since the switch 1 includes three switching latching relays corresponding to each pole of a single-phase three-wire circuit, the secondary side circuit connected to the switch 1 can be completely disconnected from one of the primary side circuits (for example, the first circuit), that is, from each pole.

[0021] Also, the switch 1 does not include a mechanical switch that is switched by an operation such as a lever operation, and a mechanical mechanism for enabling automatic operation without relying on human power. Instead of such a mechanism, in the switch 1, the control unit 40 controls the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W to realize line switching, so that the switch 1 is configured compactly.

[0022] The first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W are current detectors that detect the current flowing through the terminals 11U and 11W, respectively. That is, the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W are current detectors that detect the line currents of the U pole and the W pole of the first line on the primary side, respectively. In the circuit, the first current detector 50U is provided between the terminal 11U and the latching relay 33U. In the circuit, the second current detector 50W is provided between the terminal 11W and the latching relay 33W.

[0023] The first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W have a ring shape provided with a through hole (see FIGS. 6 to 8), and are current sensors capable of detecting the current passing through the through hole. The first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W may be a through-type current transformer (CT: Current Transformer) as such a current sensor. Alternatively, the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W may be a magnetic detection type current sensor provided with a ring core with a gap.

[0024] The control unit 40 is a functional block that controls each of the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W and processes the detection current information output by the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W. The control unit 40 may be configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. as hardware.

[0025] <Housing structure of the switch 1> Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 as well, the structure of the switch 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the switch 1. FIG. 3 corresponds to a view of the switch 1 seen from above according to the above definition (hereinafter referred to as "plan view"), and the bottom surface of the switch 1 is not shown. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view seen from the right side in the position shown as A-A in the plan view of FIG. 3. Since FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view, the structure deeper than the cut portion is not shown. Also, FIG. 4 schematically shows only the main parts of the switch 1.

[0026] The switch 1 is provided with a first primary-side terminal block 11 for connecting a first line, which is one of the primary-side lines, to one end in the longitudinal direction. The switch 1 is provided with a second primary-side terminal block 12 for connecting a second line, which is the other primary-side line, to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and a secondary-side terminal block 21 for connecting the secondary-side line.

[0027] The first primary-side terminal block 11 is in contact with a first short side, which is the short side of the rectangular outer side of the switch 1 in the plan view (the plan view of FIG. 3). The secondary-side terminal block 21 is in contact with a second short side, which is a short side different from the first short side of the rectangular outer side of the switch 1 in the plan view (the plan view of FIG. 3). The second primary-side terminal block 12 is arranged closer to the inside than the secondary-side terminal block 21 at that end.

[0028] The main part of the housing of the switch 1 is constituted by an insulating frame 2. The insulating frame 2 constitutes the first primary-side terminal block 11, the second primary-side terminal block 12, and the secondary-side terminal block 21 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the switch 1. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, approximately the lower half of the right side surface of the housing is constituted by the insulating frame 2. Similarly, approximately the lower half of the left side surface of the housing is also constituted by the insulating frame 2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the insulating frame 2 is appropriately provided with through holes 9 used for screwing and fixing the switch 1 to the wall surface of a distribution board or the like. The through hole 9 is a hole that penetrates the insulating frame 2 in the height direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the through hole 9 may be provided near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the switch 1, for example, on the wall 113 of the first primary side terminal block 11 to be described later and on the wall 211 of the secondary side terminal block 21 to be described later, but is not limited to these positions.

[0030] Approximately the upper half of the left and right side surfaces of the housing and the upper surface of the housing are constituted by a cover case 5. In the insulating frame 2, a cavity is formed between the portion constituting the second primary side terminal block 12 and the portion constituting the secondary side terminal block 21. In a state where the cover case 5 and the bottom plate 6 are attached to the insulating frame 2, the cavity constitutes the internal space of the housing of the switch 1.

[0031] The cover case 5 is also a member that closes the opening on the upper surface side of the cavity. The bottom plate 6 is also a member that closes the opening on the bottom surface side of the cavity. Note that, on the bottom surface of the housing of the switch 1, instead of the bottom plate 6 that closes the opening of the insulating frame 2, a cover film may be used to close the opening on the bottom surface side with the cover film.

[0032] <Details of the structure of the terminal block> The first primary side terminal block 11 has a U - pole terminal 11U, an O - pole terminal 11O, and a W - pole terminal 11W in this order from the left side surface side of the housing along the first short side. Also, on the left side surface side of the housing, between the terminals of each pole, and on the right side surface side of the housing, there are walls 111, 112, 113, and 114 which are part of the insulating frame 2 and are formed integrally with the insulating frame 2.

[0033] The secondary side terminal block 21 has a U - pole terminal 21U, an O - pole terminal 21O, and a W - pole terminal 21W in this order from the left side surface side of the housing along the second short side. Also, on the left side surface side of the housing, between the terminals of each pole, and on the right side surface side of the housing, there are walls 211, 212, 213, and 214 which are part of the insulating frame 2 and are formed integrally with the insulating frame 2.

[0034] The second primary terminal block 12 is located inside the secondary terminal block 21 in a plan view, and has a terminal 12U of the U pole, a terminal 12O of the O pole, and a terminal 12W of the W pole in this order from the left side surface of the housing. Further, on the left side surface side of the housing, between the terminals of each pole, and on the right side surface side of the housing, there are walls 121, 122, 123, and 124 which are part of the insulating frame 2 and are formed integrally with the insulating frame 2.

[0035] In the height direction, each terminal (terminal 21U, terminal 21O, terminal 21W) of the secondary terminal block 21 is arranged at a position lower (closer to the bottom surface) than each terminal (terminal 12U, terminal 12O, terminal 12W) of the second primary terminal block 12. Furthermore, the highest position of each wall (wall 211, wall 212, wall 213, wall 214) of the secondary terminal block 21 is made to be lower than each terminal of the second primary terminal block 12. In this way, by arranging each terminal of the secondary terminal block 21 and each terminal of the second primary terminal block 12 separately in the height direction, it is configured to prevent contact.

[0036] In addition, the switch 1 may be provided with a terminal block cover 11C (see FIGS. 5 to 8) that covers the upper part of the first primary terminal block 11. Similarly, terminal block covers that cover the upper parts of the second primary terminal block 12 and the secondary terminal block 21 may be provided respectively. Each terminal block cover may be fitted and attached to grooves provided on the right side surface and the left side surface of the insulating frames 2 on the left and right of each terminal block shown in FIG. 1. Note that FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 show the form of the switch 1 in a state where the terminal block cover is not attached.

[0037] <Configuration inside the housing of the switch 1> Next, among the components housed inside the housing of the switch 1, that is, the internal space defined by the insulating frame 2, the cover case 5, and the bottom plate 6, the main components will be described.

[0038] Inside the housing of the switch 1, a first circuit board 3 is arranged along the bottom plate 6, that is, along the bottom surface of the housing. The first circuit board 3 is electrically connected to each terminal, and the current flowing through the line connected to the switch 1 is introduced. Also, inside the housing of the switch 1, a second circuit board 4 is arranged along the main surface of the cover case 5, that is, along the upper surface of the housing.

[0039] The control unit 40 is provided on the second circuit board 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the output signal of the first current detector 50U may be input to the control unit 40 by connecting the connector provided on the output line 51U of the first current detector 50U to the second circuit board 4. The same applies to the second current detector 50W.

[0040] The first circuit board 3 holds three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W. The fixing of each latching relay 33U, 33O, and 33W to the first circuit board 3 is performed by, for example, soldering. Also, the connection terminals of the latching relays provided on the bottom surfaces of the latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W are soldered to the first circuit board 3, thereby connecting the wiring to each latching relay. The positions of the three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W in a plan view are shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3.

[0041] In a plan view, the latching relay 33U, the latching relay 33O, and the latching relay 33W are arranged in this order from the left side surface side of the switch 1. Also, the three latching relays 33U, 33O, and 33W are arranged on the first circuit board 3 such that the long side of the rectangle on the bottom surface of each latching relay is adjacent to each other in parallel.

[0042] <Conductive connector> Each of the above-mentioned terminals (11U, 11O, 11W, 12U, 12O, 12W, 21U, 21O, 21W) constitutes a conductive connector integrated with a first extension part and a second extension part that extend longitudinally therefrom. Such a conductive connector is also referred to as a bus bar and is made of a metal material with a low resistivity such as copper or aluminum as the main component.

[0043] Each terminal is exposed outside the switch 1 housing and constitutes the head of each connecting conductor. In each connecting conductor, the extending direction of the first extension part and the extending direction of the second extension part are perpendicular to each other. Also, the connecting conductor composed of the terminal, the first extension part, and the second extension part is L-shaped as a whole. Each connecting conductor constitutes an insert molding member together with the insulating frame 2. That is, the insulating frame 2 is molded in a state where nine connecting conductors are embedded and fixed.

[0044] In the switch 1, from each terminal, the first extension part extends toward the inside of the switch 1 housing parallel to the bottom surface of the switch 1 housing, that is, parallel to the first circuit board 3 and in the longitudinal direction of the housing. From the end of the first extension part, the second extension part further extends perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing and toward the first circuit board 3 on the bottom surface side. At the extended end, the second extension part is electrically connected to the first circuit board 3 by soldering.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4 for example, from the terminal 11U, the first extension part 11u1 extends toward the inside of the housing of the switch 1, and from the end thereof, the second extension part 11u2 further extends toward the first circuit board 3 on the bottom surface side. At the extended end, the second extension part 11u2 is connected to the first circuit board 3 by soldering.

[0046] <Mounting of Current Detector> As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the switch 1 is provided with a first current detector 50U and a second current detector 50W for detecting the line current of each pole except the neutral pole in the first line. Inside the housing of the switch 1, the first current detector 50U is mounted on the first extension part 11u1 of the connecting conductor of the U pole, and the second current detector 50W is mounted on the first extension part 11w1 of the connecting conductor of the W pole.

[0047] Figures 5 to 8 are diagrams showing a partial configuration of the insulating frame 2 near the first primary terminal block 11. Figures 5 to 8 show the portion of the insulating frame 2 near the first primary terminal block 11 with the terminal block cover 11C of the first primary terminal block 11 attached. Figures 5 to 8 all represent the state before the second extension portions of the respective connecting conductors are soldered to the first circuit board 3.

[0048] In each of Figures 5 to 8, reference numerals 5p1, 6p1, 7p1, 8p1 are plan views. Reference numerals 5p2, 6p2, 7p2, 8p2 are views of the portion of the insulating frame 2 shown in each figure as seen from the longitudinal direction of the switch 1. Reference numerals 5p3, 6p3, 7p3, 8p3 are perspective views.

[0049] Figure 5 represents the state before the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W are attached to the connecting conductors. Figures 6 and 7 represent the state in which the second current detector 50W is attached to the connecting conductor of the W pole and the first current detector 50U is being attached to the connecting conductor of the U pole. Figure 8 represents the state in which the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W are attached to the connecting conductors.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, inside the side surface of the insulating frame 2 along the first short side, projecting portions 71, 72, 73, and 74 that project toward the inside of the housing are provided near the bottom surface. The projecting portions 71 and 72 are projecting portions into which a part of the outer periphery of the attached first current detector 50U fits, and the upper surfaces thereof form curved surfaces along the outer periphery of the first current detector 50U. The projecting portion 71 is located on the left side surface side of the housing, and the projecting portion 72 is located on the central side in the left-right direction of the housing, relative to the first extension portion 11u1 of the connecting conductor of the U pole.

[0051] The projecting portions 73 and 74 are projecting portions into which a part of the outer periphery of the attached second current detector 50W fits, and the upper surfaces thereof form curved surfaces along the outer periphery of the second current detector 50W. The projecting portion 73 is located on the central side in the left-right direction of the housing, and the projecting portion 74 is located on the right side surface side of the housing, relative to the first extension portion 11w1 of the connecting conductor of the W pole.

[0052] Also, inside the side surface of the insulating frame 2 along the first short side, a rib 75 protruding toward the inside of the housing is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the rib 75 is disposed above the first extension portion 11o1 of the conductor for connecting the O pole, and is provided so as to be in contact with each of the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W that are mounted therebetween.

[0053] Above the first extension portion 11u1 of the conductor for connecting the U pole, a spacer 8u fixed to the first extension portion 11u1 is disposed. That is, the spacer 8u is fixed to the side surface of the first extension portion 11u1 on the side opposite to the side where the second extension portion 11u2 extends. As shown in FIG. 8, the spacer 8u is inscribed in a part of the side surface of the through hole of the mounted first current detector 50U.

[0054] Similarly, above the first extension portion 11w1 of the conductor for connecting the W pole, a spacer 8w fixed to the first extension portion 11w1 is disposed. That is, the spacer 8w is fixed to the side surface of the first extension portion 11w1 on the side opposite to the side where the second extension portion 11w2 extends. As shown in FIG. 8, the spacer 8w is inscribed in a part of the side surface of the through hole of the mounted second current detector 50W.

[0055] Next, while sequentially referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a procedure for mounting the first current detector 50U on the conductor for connecting the U pole when manufacturing the switch 1 will be described. Note that the procedure for mounting the second current detector 50W on the conductor for connecting the W pole is the same. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the first current detector 50U is engaged with the conductor for connecting the U pole such that the second extension portion 11u2 is inserted into the through hole of the first current detector 50U.

[0056] At this time, the axis of the first current detector 50U (synonymous with the axis of the through-hole) is oriented in the vertical direction of the housing. As shown in the plan view of reference numeral 6p1 in FIG. 6, the protruding portions 71 and 72 are provided with notches to avoid interference with the outer periphery of the first current detector 50U in this case, so that the through-hole can allow the second extension portion 11u2 to pass through. While engaged with the conductor for connecting the U pole in this way, the first current detector 50U is further moved upward.

[0057] Next, when the first current detector 50U is applied to the connection portion between the first extension portion 11u1 and the second extension portion 11u2, which is the bent portion of the L-shaped conductor for connecting the U pole, as shown in FIG. 7, the direction of the axis of the first current detector 50U gradually changes to the longitudinal direction of the housing. The spacer 8u fixed to the first extension portion 11u1 above the first extension portion 11u1 has an upper portion on the second extension portion 11w2 side obliquely notched, and is configured such that the first current detector 50U that changes direction can pass through to the first extension portion 11u1.

[0058] When the direction of the axis of the first current detector 50U changes to the longitudinal direction of the housing, the first current detector 50U is further moved toward the side surface of the insulating frame 2 along the first short side. The first current detector 50U is positioned by the protruding portions 71, 72 and the spacer 8w, and is mounted on the first current detector 50U at the first extension portion 11u1.

[0059] At this time, the upper side of the spacer 8u is inscribed in a part of the side surface of the through-hole of the mounted first current detector 50U. As shown in FIG. 8, the first current detector 50U does not directly contact the conductor for connecting the U phase when mounted on the conductor for connecting the U phase. The first current detector 50U is appropriately adhered to the insulating frame 2 with resin or the like and fixed in this state.

[0060] In this way, the first current detector 50U is mounted on the conductor for connecting the U pole, and in the same manner, the second current detector 50W is mounted on the conductor for connecting the W pole. With each connecting conductor soldered to the first circuit board 3 at the end of the second extended portion respectively. The soldering process may be performed by a known flow method.

[0061] In the soldering process, since the connecting conductor is heated, there is a risk that the first current detector 50U and the second current detector 50W will be subjected to a heat load through the connecting conductor and their characteristics will deteriorate. However, in the switch 1 of the present embodiment, these current detectors are positioned by spacers (spacer 8u, spacer 8w) so as not to directly touch the connecting conductor, so the heat conduction from the connecting conductor in the soldering process is suppressed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, these current detectors will not be subjected to an excessive heat load that deteriorates their characteristics.

[0062] <Supplementary Note> Different from the switch of the present invention, when the connection between the relay, which is a functional component, and each terminal of each terminal block is directly made by a connecting conductor (bus bar) like a normal switch configured without using a circuit board into which the current of the line is introduced, the assembly of the switch becomes complicated. Also, in such a case, it is difficult to compactly configure a switch having three latching relays.

[0063] However, in the switch 1 of the present embodiment, the electrical connection from each terminal to each latching relay is made through the first circuit board 3. Therefore, a switch having three latching relays can be compactly configured and is easy to assemble. In particular, since the electrical connection of the connecting conductor with the current detector mounted thereon to the relay can be realized by the flow soldering process, a switch that is compactly configured while having a function of detecting the current of the line can be mass-produced with good productivity.

[0064] The switch 1 of the present embodiment has a line switching function, and thus, for example, regarding the power supply to a house, it is possible to realize self-sustained operation by power supply from a storage battery or the like in a state of being disconnected from the commercial power system. Further, since the switch 1 of the present embodiment has a function of detecting the current in the line, for example, it is possible to execute control such as prohibiting reverse power flow to the commercial power system.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the specification and the drawings are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In the above-described embodiments, the switch, which is a changeover switch, has been described as an example. However, the present invention is similarly applicable to a switch provided between a set of primary-side lines and a set of secondary-side lines.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 Switch 2 Insulating frame (housing) 3 First circuit board (circuit board) 4 Second circuit board 5 Cover case (housing) 6 Bottom plate (housing) 8u, 8w Spacer 9 Through hole 11 First primary-side terminal block 11C Terminal block cover 12 Second primary-side terminal block 21 Secondary-side terminal block 11O, 11U, 11W, 12O, 12U, 12W, 21O, 21U, 21W Terminals 11o1, 11u1, 11w1 First extension 11o2, 11u2, 11w2 Second extension 33O, 33U, 33W Latching relay 40 Control unit 50U First current detector (current detector) 50W Second current detector (current detector) 71, 72, 73, 74 Protrusions 75 ribs

Claims

1. A single-phase three-wire switch, comprising: an insulating frame constituting at least a part of the housing of the switch; a connecting conductor fixed to the insulating frame; a circuit board housed inside the housing, a current detector having a ring-shaped form provided with a through-hole and capable of detecting a current passing through the through-hole; and a spacer, wherein the connecting conductor has a terminal exposed to the outside from the insulating frame, a first extending portion extending inward from the terminal, and a second extending portion extending from the first extending portion toward the circuit board with a changed extending direction and electrically connected to the circuit board; the current detector is mounted on the connecting conductor with the first extending portion passing through the through-hole; the spacer is fixed to the first extending portion of the connecting conductor and is inscribed in the through-hole of the current detector, the switch.

2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the insulating frame is provided with a protruding portion into which a part of the outer periphery of the current detector is fitted.

3. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion is provided with a notch for avoiding interference with the outer periphery of the current detector, allowing the second extending portion to pass through the through-hole of the current detector.

4. The three-pole connecting conductors are fixed to the insulating frame so as to be arranged in the width direction of the housing, and the current detectors are respectively mounted on the two outer-pole connecting conductors among the three-pole connecting conductors, the switch according to claim 1.

5. The switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a changeover switch capable of switching the connection of a single-phase three-wire line.

6. A method for manufacturing a single-phase three-wire switch, comprising: an insulating frame constituting at least a part of the housing, a connecting conductor fixed to the insulating frame, a circuit board housed inside the housing, a current detector having a ring-shaped form provided with a through-hole and capable of detecting a current passing through the through-hole, and a spacer, wherein the connecting conductor has a terminal exposed to the outside from the insulating frame, a first extending portion extending inward from the terminal, and a second extending portion extending from the first extending portion; the spacer is provided on the first extending portion. A step of engaging the current detector with the connection conductor so as to pass through the through hole from the second extension portion of the connection conductor fixed to the insulating frame; A step of moving the current detector along the connection conductor to the first extension portion; A step of attaching the current detector to the connection conductor at the first extension portion so that the spacer is inscribed in the through hole of the current detector; A method of manufacturing a switch including, in this order, a step of soldering an end portion of the second extension portion to the circuit board.

Images