Terminal block

Abstract

To provide a terminal block which achieves a large allowable current and high strength.SOLUTION: A terminal block includes: a pair of connection terminals connected separately from each other at the middle of a first circuit; and an inter-connecting body intervening between both connection terminals. An interrupt body for interrupting the first circuit with a second circuit can be inserted between both connection terminals. The inter-connecting body moves from a connection position of contacting with both connection terminals to a non-connection position of not contacting with at least one of both connection terminals due to the insertion of the interrupt body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block.

Background Art

[0002] As a terminal block, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure including an ammeter, a pair of jacks that sandwich the ammeter, and a signal short-circuit fitting interposed between both jacks. When the ammeter is slightly inserted between the pair of jacks connected via the signal short-circuit fitting, both jacks are further connected via the ammeter. By inserting it to the end, both jacks are elastically deformed so as to widen the interval and separated from the signal short-circuit fitting and connected only via the ammeter.

[0003] According to the terminal block according to Patent Document 1, the ammeter can be attached and detached while maintaining the connection of both jacks.

[0004] However, in the terminal block according to Patent Document 1, since the structure utilizes the elastic deformation of both jacks, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the metal plate forming the jack in order to obtain the elasticity of the jack. For this reason, there is a problem that the allowable current decreases and the strength decreases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to increase the allowable current and also increase the strength.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The terminal block according to the present invention includes a pair of connection terminals connected to be spaced apart from each other in the middle of a first circuit, and an intermediate connection body interposed between the two connection terminals. The terminal block is configured such that an interrupting body for interrupting a second circuit with respect to the first circuit can be inserted between the two connection terminals. The intermediate connection body is configured to move from a connection position where it contacts the two connection terminals to a non-connection position where it is non-contact with at least one of the two connection terminals by inserting the interrupting body.

[0008] According to the present invention, since the intermediate connection body moves from the connection position to the non-connection position, it is not necessary to give elasticity to the two connection terminals. Therefore, for example, when the connection terminals are formed of a metal plate, it is not necessary to reduce the thickness of the metal plate, and the allowable current can be increased. Also, the strength is improved.

[0009] Further, the terminal block may further include a pressing mechanism for pressing the intermediate connection body against the two connection terminals, and the intermediate connection body is configured to move from the connection position to the non-connection position by inserting the interrupting body against the pressing force of the pressing mechanism.

[0010] According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to give elasticity to the intermediate connection body either. Therefore, for example, when the intermediate connection body is formed of a metal plate, it is not necessary to reduce the thickness of the metal plate, and the allowable current can be increased. Also, the strength is improved.

[0011] Further, the intermediate connection body may be installed on the insertion direction side of the two connection terminals, and the pressing mechanism may press the intermediate connection body in a direction opposite to the insertion direction to bring it into contact with the connection terminals.

[0012] With such a configuration, the two connection terminals and the intermediate connection body can be arranged in series along the insertion direction, so that the width of the terminal block can be shortened.

[0013] If the intermediate connection body repeats the movement, it may cause a positional deviation with respect to the two connection terminals, and this positional deviation may cause an obstacle to the movement.

[0014] Therefore, a guide mechanism may be further provided that is interposed between the two connection terminals and the intermediate connection body and guides the intermediate connection body to a predetermined position when the intermediate connection body moves from the non-connection position to the connection position.

[0015] According to such a configuration, the intermediate connection body pressed by the pressing mechanism is guided to the same position every time. As a result, it is difficult for the intermediate connection body to be displaced even when it repeats movement.

[0016] As a specific embodiment of the guide mechanism, the guide mechanism is provided at the tip of the connection terminal and includes a contact surface that inclines inward or outward in the insertion direction, and a convex portion that protrudes from the intermediate connection body and contacts the contact surface.

[0017] According to such a configuration, the guide mechanism can be formed by bending a metal plate constituting the intermediate connection body or the connection terminal, and the manufacturing becomes easy.

[0018] Examples of the second circuit include a protection circuit that protects the first circuit and a measurement circuit that measures the state of the first circuit.

[0019] Further, the terminal block according to the present invention includes a pair of connection terminals connected to be separated from each other in the middle of the first circuit, an intermediate connection body interposed between the two connection terminals, and an interrupt body inserted between the two connection terminals to interrupt the second circuit with respect to the first circuit. The intermediate connection body is configured to move from a connection position where it contacts the two connection terminals to a non-connection position where it is non-contact with at least one of the two connection terminals by inserting the interrupt body.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the terminal block of the present invention, the allowable current can be increased and the strength can also be improved compared to the conventional terminal block.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0023] <Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal block 100 of this embodiment is installed in the middle of the first circuit C1 and is used to interrupt the second circuit C2 in the first circuit C1. Therefore, before explaining the details of the terminal block 100, the first circuit C1 and the second circuit C2 will be described.

[0024] The first circuit C1 is, for example, a circuit that connects a power source P and a load R (such as a working device) in a factory. This first circuit C1 is divided into an upstream side and a downstream side, and is provided with first terminals T1 at the upstream end and the downstream end, respectively. The terminal block 100 connects these first terminals T1 to each other.

[0025] The second circuit C2 is a circuit different from the first circuit C1, for example, a circuit that adds a function to the first circuit C1. Specifically, examples of the second circuit C2 include a measurement circuit that adds a measurement function to the first circuit C1 and a protection circuit that adds a protection function to the first circuit C1, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be a circuit that adds other functions. The second circuit C2 of the present embodiment is a current measurement circuit that measures the current flowing through the first circuit C1. This second circuit C2 is also divided into an upstream side and a downstream side, and is provided with second terminals T2 at the upstream end and the downstream end, respectively. The terminal block 100 interrupts and connects these second terminals T2 to the first circuit C1.

[0026] Next, the terminal block 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The terminal block 100 includes a case 10, a pair of connection terminals 20, an intermediate connector 30, and an interrupt member 40.

[0027] The case 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having, for example, front and rear side plates 10a and 10b, left and right side plates, an upper plate 10c, and a bottom plate 10d. In the present embodiment, the left and right side plates are configured to be detachable, and in each figure, the left and right side plates are omitted from the illustration. Note that the directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right mentioned below are relative for convenience of explanation and do not indicate absolute directions. The case shape is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0028] This case 10 is attached to, for example, a rail at the bottom and is installed so that the user can easily view the upper plate 10c and the front and rear side plates 10a and 10b. An insertion port 11 into which the interrupt member 40 is inserted is formed at the center of the upper plate 10c. Specifically, the upper plate 10c has a substantially rectangular shape with the front and rear being the longitudinal direction and the left and right being the short side direction, and the insertion port 11 is formed at the center of the longitudinal direction thereof. Therefore, the front and rear side plates 10a and 10b become the side surfaces facing the longitudinal direction of the upper plate 10c, and the left and right side plates become the side plates facing the short side direction of the upper plate 10c.

[0029] In this case 10, a housing space 12 extending inward from the insertion port 11 is formed, and the interrupting body 40 inserted from the insertion port 11 into the housing space 12 is accommodated therein. In the present embodiment, the interrupting body 40 is not completely accommodated in the housing space 12, but is accommodated in a state where a part thereof protrudes outward from the insertion port 11 so as to be easily inserted and removed. Note that it may be completely accommodated. Further, inside the case 10, support bases 13 for supporting the connection terminals 20 are provided between the housing space 12 and the front and rear side plates 10a and 10b, respectively. Therefore, by supporting the connection terminals 20 on these support bases 13, the pair of connection terminals 20 are installed with the housing space 12 therebetween and spaced apart from each other.

[0030] Furthermore, a tool hole 14 for inserting a tool is formed in a portion of the upper plate 10c facing the support base 13. In addition, terminal holes 15 for inserting the first terminal T1 are formed in the front and rear side plates 10a and 10b above the support base 13. That is, the terminal holes 15 are formed on the side surface facing the longitudinal direction of the upper plate 10c in which the insertion port 11 is formed.

[0031] The first terminal T1 and the second terminal T2 are respectively connected to the pair of connection terminals 20. Since the pair of connection terminals 20 both have the same structure, only one of the connection terminals 20 will be described below.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection terminal 20 includes a conductive plate 21, an interrupting body connection mechanism 22 that connects the interrupting body 40 inserted into the conductive plate 21 from the insertion port 11, and a terminal connection mechanism 23 that connects the first terminal T1 inserted into the terminal hole 15 in the conductive plate 21.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the conductive plate 21 has a substantially inverted L shape, and includes a fixing piece 21a that is overlapped and fixed on the upper surface of the support base 13, and a contact piece 21b that bends from the fixing piece 21a and extends along the housing space 12 to the bottom side. The conductive plate 21 of the present embodiment is formed by bending a metal plate.

[0034] The interrupt body connection mechanism 22 is in the form of a clip that protrudes from the plate surface facing the accommodation space 12 side of the contact piece 21b toward the accommodation space 12. The interrupt body connection mechanism 22 of this embodiment is substantially L-shaped in reverse, and includes a double fixing piece 22a that is overlapped and fixed on the fixing piece 21a, an extension piece 22b that bends from the double fixing piece 22a and extends along the accommodation space 12 to the bottom side, and a pair of clamping pieces 22c that protrude from the extension piece 22b along the left and right side plates.

[0035] This pair of clamping pieces 22c is substantially L-shaped in a plan view with the tip portions bent in a direction facing each other.

[0036] The terminal connection mechanism 23 includes a pressing member 23a interposed between the support base 13 and the upper plate 10c, a screw 23b passing through the pressing member 23a, and a screw hole 23c that penetrates the support base 13, the fixing piece 21a overlapping the support base 13, and the double fixing piece 22a, and into which the screw 23b is screwed.

[0037] The terminal connection mechanism 23 of this embodiment further includes a biasing member 23d that biases the pressing member 23a toward the upper plate 10c side. The pressing member 23a biased by this biasing member 23d contacts the inner surface of the upper plate 13, and the head of the screw 23b is exposed to the outside from the tool hole 15. In this state, the screw 23b has a length that does not penetrate into the screw hole 23c, and by inserting a tool into the tool hole 15 and pushing it in against the biasing force, the screw 23b is made to penetrate into the screw hole 23c.

[0038] The intermediate connector 30 is long and is installed along the bottom plate 10d. The intermediate connector 30 has a length in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the interval between both contact pieces 21b, and is installed on the insertion direction side of both contact pieces 21b. The intermediate connector 30 of this embodiment includes a conductive plate material 31 and an insulating block 32 provided on the upper surface facing the connection terminal 20 of the plate material 31.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the interrupt member 40 is housed in the accommodation space 12 and interrupts the second circuit T2 into the first circuit T1. Specifically, the interrupt member 40 includes a housing 41 housed in the accommodation space 12, a substrate 42 built in the housing 41 and on which the second circuit T2 is printed, and connection pieces 43 provided on both side surfaces of the housing 42 and constituting the second terminals T2 of the second circuit T2.

[0040] Specifically, the connection piece 43 is plate-shaped extending in the insertion direction and stands vertically from the side surface facing the connection terminal 20 of the housing 41. When the housing 41 is housed in the accommodation space 12, it is sandwiched between both sandwiching pieces 22c and electrically connected to the conductor 21.

[0041] In this embodiment, the substrate 42 on which the second circuit T2 is printed is built in the housing 41 constituting the interrupt member 40, but this substrate 42 may be built in a housing separate from the housing 41 constituting the interrupt member 40. In this case, the connection piece 43 may be provided on the housing 41, and this connection piece 43 may be connected to the second circuit T2 built in the separate housing by wire or wirelessly.

[0042] Thus, the intermediate connection body 30 according to the present invention is configured to be movable between a connection position X1 (see FIG. 3) that contacts each of the both connection terminals 20 and a non-connection position X2 (see FIG. 4) that is non-contact with at least one of the both connection terminals 20. When the intermediate connection body 30 of the present embodiment moves to the non-connection position X2, it becomes non-contact with both connection terminals 20.

[0043] In this embodiment, a pressing mechanism 50 for pressing the intermediate connection body 30 against both connection terminals 20 is further provided. This pressing mechanism 50 is interposed between the intermediate connection body 30 and the bottom plate 10d, and constantly pushes up the intermediate connection body 30 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction to bring it into contact with both contact pieces 21b. That is, the pressing mechanism 50 is installed so as to face the surface opposite to the plate surface of the intermediate connection body 30 facing the connection terminal 20. The pressing mechanism 50 of the present embodiment is a pair of coil springs, and pushes up both end portions of the intermediate connection body 30. These coil springs push up the intermediate connection body 30 with the same pressing force.

[0044] Further, in the present embodiment, a guide mechanism 60 is further provided which is interposed between both connection terminals 20 and the intermediate connector 30 and guides the intermediate connector 20 to a predetermined position when the intermediate connector 20 moves from the non-connection position X2 to the connection position X1. Specifically, this guide mechanism 60 is composed of a contact surface 61 formed by obliquely bending the tip of the contact piece 22b of the connection terminal 20, and convex portions 62 provided at both ends of the intermediate connector 30 and abutting against the contact surface 61.

[0045] This contact surface 61 is inclined inward or outward (inward in the present embodiment) as it goes in the insertion direction. The convex portions 62 are provided at both ends of the plate material 31, and the tip portions are formed in a curved convex shape in side view (semicircular in side view in the present embodiment) and are in line contact with the contact surface 61. Then, when the intermediate connector 30 moves from the non-connection position X2 to the connection position X1, the convex portions 62 come into contact with the contact surface 61 and are guided to a predetermined position by utilizing the inclination of the contact surface 61. Thereby, the intermediate connector 30 is guided so that its center coincides with the center between both connection terminals 20.

[0046] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an insertion direction regulating mechanism 70 is further provided which regulates the insertion direction of the interrupting body 40 so that the intermediate connector 30 can be pushed down only when the interrupting body 40 is inserted in a predetermined direction between the intermediate connector 30 and the interrupting body 40. Specifically, this insertion direction regulating mechanism 70 includes a plug 71 protruding from the opposing surface of the interrupting body 40 with respect to the intermediate connector 30, and a regulating hole 72 provided in a partition plate 16 interposed between the accommodation space 12 and the intermediate connector 30, through which the plug 71 passes only when the insertion direction of the interrupting body 40 is correct. The partition plate 16 is provided in the case 10.

[0047] Specifically, the plug 71 and the regulating hole 72 are asymmetric with respect to the central axis extending in the insertion direction of the interrupting body 40. Thus, the plug 71 can pass through the regulating hole 72 only when the insertion direction of the interrupting body 40 is correct. Then, the intermediate connector 30 is pushed down by the plug 71 that has passed through the regulating hole 72. Note that the plug 71 has insulation and is not electrically connected even when it comes into contact with the intermediate connector 30.

[0048] Next, the operation of the terminal block 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0049] First, the intermediate connector 30 is pushed up by the pressing mechanism 50 and moves to the connection position X1. In this state, the first terminals T1 provided at the tips of the wirings extending from the power supply P and the load R are respectively inserted into different terminal holes 15, a tool is inserted into the tool hole 14, and the screw 23b is pushed inward to be screwed into the screw hole 23c. Thereby, the first terminal T1 is pressed and held against the conductive plate 21 by the pressing member 23a, and the upstream side and the downstream side of the first circuit T1 are electrically connected via both connection terminals 20 and the intermediate connector 30.

[0050] Next, when the interrupting body 40 is inserted into the insertion port 11, first, the connection piece 43 of the interrupting body 40 is sandwiched between the sandwiching pieces 22c of the connection terminal 20. Thereby, the second circuit T2 interrupts between the upstream side and the downstream side of the first circuit T1. That is, in this state, the upstream side and the downstream side of the first circuit T1 are electrically connected by two routes, a route via the intermediate connector 30 and a route via the second circuit T2.

[0051] Subsequently, when the interrupting body 40 is further inserted against the pressing force of the pressing mechanism 50, the plug 71 of the interrupting body 40 passes through the regulating hole 72, and the intermediate connector 30 is pushed down and moved from the connection position X1 to the non-connection position X2. Thereby, the upstream side and the downstream side of the first circuit T1 are electrically connected only by the route via the second circuit T2. When the interrupting body 40 is inserted deeper, if the insertion direction of the interrupting body 40 is incorrect, the plug 71 does not pass through the regulating hole 72.

[0052] When the interrupt body 40 is slightly removed, first, the plug 71 comes out of the regulation hole 72. As a result, the intermediate connector 30 moves from the non-connection position X2 to the connection position X1, and the upstream side and the downstream side of the first circuit T1 are electrically connected again through two routes. At this time, the intermediate connector 30 is guided by the guide mechanism 60 so that its center is positioned at the center of both connection terminals. Then, when the interrupt body 40 is completely removed, the upstream side and the downstream side of the first circuit T1 are electrically connected only through the route via the intermediate connector 30.

[0053] Also, when the screw 23b is removed from the screw hole 23c, the pressing member 23a is pushed up by the biasing member 23d, and the head of the screw 23b is exposed from the tool hole 15.

[0054] According to the terminal block 100 of the present embodiment, since the intermediate connector 30 moves from the connection position X1 to the non-connection position X2, it is not necessary to give elasticity to both connection terminals 20. Therefore, when the connection terminals 20 are formed of a metal plate, it is not necessary to reduce the thickness of the metal plate, and the allowable current can be increased. Also, the strength is improved.

[0055] Also, since the intermediate connector 30 is configured to be pushed up by the pressing mechanism 50, it is not necessary to give elasticity to the intermediate connector 30 either. Therefore, when the intermediate connector 30 is formed of a metal plate, it is not necessary to reduce the thickness of the metal plate, and the allowable current can be increased. Also, the strength is improved.

[0056] Also, since the intermediate connector 30 is installed on the insertion direction side of both connection terminals 20 and is pressed by the pressing mechanism 50 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, both connection terminals 20 and the intermediate connector 30 can be arranged in series along the insertion direction, so that the width of the terminal block (width in the left-right direction and short-side direction) can be shortened.

[0057] Also, since the guide mechanism 60 is provided, it is possible to prevent the intermediate connector 30 from being displaced in the longitudinal direction while repeatedly moving. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of operation failures associated with the displacement of the intermediate connector 30.

[0058] Furthermore, since the insertion direction restricting mechanism 70 is provided, an error in the insertion direction of the interrupting body 40 can be prevented.

[0059] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiments, when the intermediate connecting body moves to the non-connecting position, it does not come into contact with both connecting terminals, but it may be configured so as not to come into contact with at least one of the connecting terminals.

[0060] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the contact surface of the guide mechanism is inclined inward, but it may be configured to be inclined outward.

[0061] In addition, combinations of parts of various embodiments and modifications may be made as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] C1: First circuit C2: Second circuit 100: Terminal block 10: Case 20: Connecting terminal 30: Intermediate connecting body 40: Interrupting body 50: Pressing mechanism 60: Guide mechanism 61: Contact surface 62: Convex portion

Claims

1. A terminal block including a pair of connection terminals connected to be spaced apart from each other in the middle of a first circuit, and an intermediate connection body interposed between the two connection terminals, wherein an interrupt body for interrupting a second circuit with respect to the first circuit can be inserted between the two connection terminals, The terminal block is characterized in that the intermediate connection body is configured to move from a connection position in contact with the two connection terminals to a non-contact position where it is not in contact with at least one of the two connection terminals by inserting the interrupt body.

2. The terminal block further includes a pressing mechanism for pressing the intermediate connection body against the two connection terminals, The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate connection body is configured to move from the connection position to the non-connection position by inserting the interrupt body against the pressing force of the pressing mechanism.

3. The intermediate connection body is installed on the insertion direction side of the two connection terminals, The terminal block according to claim 2, wherein the pressing mechanism presses the intermediate connection body in a direction opposite to the insertion direction to bring it into contact with the connection terminal.

4. The terminal block according to claim 1, further comprising a guide mechanism interposed between the two connection terminals and the intermediate connection body, and guiding the intermediate connection body to a predetermined position when the intermediate connection body moves from the non-connection position to the connection position.

5. The guide mechanism is, A contact surface provided at the tip of the connection terminal and inclined inward or outward in the insertion direction, The terminal block according to claim 4, further comprising a convex portion protruding from the intermediate connection body and contacting the contact surface.

6. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is a protection circuit for protecting the first circuit.

7. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the second circuit is a measurement circuit for measuring the state of the first circuit.

8. A pair of connection terminals connected to be spaced apart from each other in the middle of a first circuit, An intermediate connection body interposed between the two connection terminals, An interrupt body inserted between the two connection terminals for interrupting a second circuit with respect to the first circuit, The terminal block is characterized in that the intermediate connection body is configured to move from a connection position in contact with the two connection terminals to a non-contact position where it is not in contact with at least one of the two connection terminals by inserting the interrupt body.

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