Terminal block

Abstract

To provide a compact terminal block having an indicator for confirming a terminal connection state.SOLUTION: A terminal block includes: a case having a terminal insertion port on an outer surface thereof; a conductive member which is provided inside the case and to which the terminal inserted from the terminal insertion port is connected; a pressing member that is installed to face the conductive member and presses the terminal inserted to the conductive member onto the conductive member to be connected to the conductive member; and an operation member that moves the pressing member pressing the terminal away from the terminal. The operation member is provided with an engaging part to be engaged with a tool, and can be operated by the tool engaged with the engaging part. The engaging part is in a state of capable of engaging with the tool in a connecting state where the terminal is inserted between the conductive member and the pressing member. The engaging part is in a state of incapable of engaging with the tool in a non-connecting state where the terminal is not inserted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a general quick-connect terminal block, terminals are inserted between conductive members and leaf springs that are installed facing each other within a case, and are pressed against the conductive members using the elasticity of the leaf springs for connection. For this reason, it is difficult to check the connection state of the terminals from outside the case.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block that enables the connection state of terminals to be checked from outside the case. Specifically, this terminal block is provided with a dedicated display portion for checking the connection state of the terminals with respect to an operating member that moves the leaf spring away from the conductive member when removing the terminal, and this display portion can be checked by being made visible and hidden from the case.

[0004] However, in the terminal block according to Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that the operating member becomes larger by the amount of the dedicated display portion provided, and accordingly the terminal block also becomes larger.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the main problem of the present invention is to miniaturize the terminal block while providing an indicator for checking the connection state of the terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The terminal block according to the present invention includes a case having a terminal insertion port on the outer surface, a conductive member provided in the case to which the terminal inserted from the terminal insertion port is connected, a pressing member installed so as to face the conductive member and pressing the terminal inserted therebetween against the conductive member for connection, and an operating member for moving the pressing member that presses the terminal away from the terminal. The operating member includes an engaging portion for engaging a tool and can be operated by the tool engaged with the engaging portion. The engaging portion is configured to be in a state where it can be engaged with the tool in a connected state in which the terminal is inserted between the conductive member and the pressing member, and in a non-connected state where the terminal is not inserted, it is configured to be in a state where it cannot be engaged with the tool.

[0008] According to the present invention, the connection state can be confirmed by whether a tool can be engaged with the engaging portion originally provided on the operating member. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide an indicator dedicated to confirming the connection state, and the terminal block can be miniaturized.

[0009] Specifically, this type of terminal block is becoming more and more miniaturized. Along with this, the operating member has also become smaller, making it difficult for the operator to directly operate it by hand. For this reason, an engaging portion that engages with a tool may be provided so that the operating member can be operated with a tool such as a minus driver. This engaging portion is used when removing the terminal from between the conductive member and the pressing member, so it only needs to be able to be engaged in the connected state, and it does not need to be able to be engaged in the non-connected state. The applicant focused on this point and made it possible to confirm the connection state of the terminal by whether the tool can be engaged with the engaging portion, thereby realizing the miniaturization of the terminal block.

[0010] Here, the state in which the tool can be engaged means a state in which the tool can be engaged with the engaging portion without force, and conversely, the state in which the tool cannot be engaged means a state in which the tool cannot be engaged with the engaging portion without force. Therefore, a state in which the tool can be forcibly engaged with the engaging portion is not a state in which the tool can be engaged, but is included in the state in which the tool cannot be engaged. Specifically, usually, the tool is engaged and operated from a predetermined direction to the engaging portion, and a state in which the tool cannot be engaged from this predetermined direction corresponds to a state in which the tool cannot be engaged.

[0011] Further, the operation member may be configured to move to an engagement position where the tool can be engaged with the engaging portion in the connected state and move to a non-engagement position where the tool cannot be engaged with the engaging portion in the non-connected state.

[0012] According to such a configuration, since the state of the engaging portion is switched by the operation of the operation member, it is not necessary to separately provide a mechanism for switching the state of the engaging portion, and the terminal block can be made smaller.

[0013] Further, the non-engagement position may be a position where at least a part of the engaging portion is close to and opposed to the outer surface or the inner surface of the case and the tool cannot be engaged.

[0014] According to such a configuration, part or all of the engaging portion is hidden by the case and cannot be engaged. As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for hiding, and the terminal block can be made smaller.

[0015] By the way, in this type of terminal block, an operation window is provided so that the operation member can be operated from outside the case.

[0016] Therefore, the case may further have an operation window on the outer surface for exposing the operation member to the outside, the engagement position is a position where the engaging portion is exposed from the operation window so that the engaging portion can be engaged with the tool, and the non-engagement position is a position where at least a part of the engaging portion is hidden at the edge of the operation window so that the engaging portion cannot be engaged with the tool.

[0017] According to such a configuration, since the operation window can also be used as a window for checking the connection state, there is no need to separately provide a window dedicated to checking the connection state, and the terminal block can be made smaller.

[0018] Further, when the terminal is inserted between the pressing member and the conductive member, the pressing member is elastically deformed by being pressed by the terminal, and the engaging portion is configured to move from the engaging position to the non-engaging position by the restoring force of the pressing member when the terminal is removed from between the conductive member and the pressing member.

[0019] According to such a configuration, when the terminal is removed, that is, when the non-connected state is set, the engaging portion automatically moves to the non-engaging position. Therefore, the connection state can be accurately grasped.

[0020] Further, the engaging portion may have a catching surface that is caught when the operating member is operated.

[0021] According to such a configuration, when the operating member is operated, the tool is caught by the catching surface, so that it is possible to prevent the tool from coming off the engaging portion and damaging the terminal block.

[0022] The terminal block according to the present invention includes a case having a terminal insertion opening on an outer surface, a conductive member provided in the case to which a terminal inserted through the terminal insertion opening is connected, a pressing member installed so as to face the conductive member and pressing the terminal inserted therebetween against the conductive member for connection, and an operating member for moving the pressing member that presses the terminal away from the terminal. The operating member includes an engaging portion for engaging a tool from a predetermined direction and can be operated by the tool engaged with the engaging portion. The engaging portion is exposed so that the tool can be engaged in a connected state in which the terminal is inserted between the conductive member and the pressing member, and at least a part of the engaging portion is configured to be hidden by another member when viewed from the predetermined direction in a non-connected state in which the terminal is not inserted.

[0023] According to the present invention, the connection state can be confirmed by the appearance of the engaging portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an indicator dedicated to confirming the connection state, and the terminal block can be miniaturized. As described above, since the engaging portion is used when extracting the terminal from between the conductive member and the pressing member, it only needs to be entirely exposed so that it can engage with the tool in the connected state, and it may be hidden in the non-connected state. The applicant focused on this point and made it possible to confirm the connection state of the terminal by the appearance of the engaging portion, thereby realizing the miniaturization of the terminal block.

Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the terminal block of the present invention, while providing an indicator for confirming the connection state of the terminal, the terminal block can be miniaturized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] The terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0027] The terminal block according to the present invention is interposed in the middle of an electric circuit and electrically connects its upstream side and downstream side. Specifically, for example, it is installed between a power source and a load (working equipment) in a factory or the like, and electrically connects the terminals provided at the tips of the wirings extending from these.

[0028] <Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the terminal block 100 of the present embodiment includes a case 10, a conductive member 20, a pressing member 30, and an operating member 40. In the present embodiment, up to three terminals T1, T2, and T3 can be connected.

[0029] 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 10c, an upper plate 10d, and a bottom plate 10e. In the present embodiment, the right side plate is configured to be detachable, and in each figure, the right side plate is 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 an absolute direction. The case shape is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0030] This case 10 is attached to, for example, rails at the bottom and installed so that the user can easily view the upper plate 10d and the front and rear side plates 10a and 10b. This upper plate 10d has a rectangular shape in plan view, and one end portion (front portion) in the longitudinal direction is inclined toward the bottom side, and a first terminal insertion port 11 and a second terminal insertion port 12 are formed in this inclined surface. The first terminal insertion port 11 and the second terminal insertion port 12 of the present embodiment are connected to each other to form one opening, but may form separate openings. Further, a third terminal insertion port 13 is formed in the rear side plate 10b.

[0031] Furthermore, in the case 10, a first operation window 14 and a second operation window 15 are formed side by side on both sides (front and rear sides) with the first terminal insertion port 11 and the second terminal insertion port 12 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the first operation window 14 is formed in the upper plate 10d so as to be aligned with the first terminal insertion port 11, and the second operation window 15 is formed in the front side plate 10a so as to be aligned with the second terminal insertion port 12. The two terminal insertion ports 11 and 12 and the two operation windows 14 and 15 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the case 10.

[0032] The conductive member 20 is installed in the case 10 and is connected to the terminals T1 and T2 inserted from the respective terminal insertion ports 11 and 12. The conductive member 20 of the present embodiment is formed by shaping a metal plate. Specifically, one end portion 21 of the conductive member 20 extends along the insertion directions of the respective terminals T1 and T2 so as to divide the space continuing into the case 10 from the first terminal insertion port 11 and the second terminal insertion port 12 into two, and the other end portion 22 extends along the insertion direction of the terminal T3 inserted from the third terminal insertion port 13.

[0033] The pressing member 30 is installed in the case 10 and faces the conductive member 20. Then, the pressing member 30 presses and connects the terminals T1 and T2 inserted therebetween to the conductive member 20. In the present embodiment, pressing members 30 are installed on both sides sandwiching the conductive member 20 so as to press the terminals T1 and T2 inserted from the first terminal insertion port 11 and the second terminal insertion port 12 against different plate surfaces of the conductive member 20, respectively. Since these pressing members 30 have a symmetric structure sandwiching the conductive member 20, hereinafter, only the pressing member 30 on the side of the first terminal insertion port 11 will be described.

[0034] The pressing member 30 of the present embodiment is a leaf spring fixed to a support shaft 16 installed in the case 10 so as to face the operation window 14, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The support shaft 16 extends in the lateral direction of the case 10 in a plan view in the axial direction.

[0035] More specifically, the pressing member 30 is a leaf spring formed in a substantially U shape. The U-turn portion 31 is hooked and fixed to the support shaft 16, and one end piece 32 extending from the U-turn portion 31 faces the conductive member 20. This one end piece 32 extends in the insertion direction so as to approach the conductive member 20 from the base end on the support shaft 16 side toward the tip. And the tip of the one end piece 32 is in contact with the conductive member 20, and from this state, it can be elastically deformed in a direction away from (separating from) the conductive member 20 with the base end as a fulcrum. Note that the tip of the one end piece 32 does not necessarily have to be in contact with the conductive member 20. However, when not in contact, it is necessary to set the gap with the conductive member 20 to be narrower than the thickness of the terminal T1. The other end piece 33 is fixed to the case 10 so as not to move even when the one end piece 32 is elastically deformed.

[0036] When extracting the terminals T1 and T2 pressed by the conductive member 20, the operation member 40 pushes the pressing member 30 in a direction away from the conductive member 20. In the present embodiment, operation members 40 corresponding to each of the two pressing members 30 are installed. Since these operation members 40 have a symmetric structure with the conductive member 20 interposed therebetween, hereinafter, only the operation member 40 on the first terminal insertion port 11 side will be described.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation member 40 of the present embodiment rotates integrally with one end piece 32 of the pressing member 30 with the support shaft 16 as a rotation axis. Specifically, the operation member 40 includes an operation portion 41 interposed between the operation window 14 and the support shaft 16, and a fixing portion 42 provided on the opposite side across the operation portion 41 and the support shaft 16 and fixed to the one end piece 32. The operation portion 41 and the fixing portion 42 are integrally formed. When the operation portion 41 is rotated, the fixing portion 42 also rotates together. Therefore, when the operation portion 41 is rotated, the one end piece 32 fixed to the fixing portion 42 also rotates together. That is, when the one end piece 32 is restored, the operation portion 41 also rotates accordingly.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the terminal block 100 of the present embodiment further includes a terminal connection mechanism 50 that connects the terminal T3 inserted from the third terminal insertion port 13 to the other end 22 of the conductive member 20. This terminal connection mechanism 50 includes the other end 22 of the conductive member 20, a pressing plate 51 installed above, a screw 52 passing through the pressing plate 51, and a screw hole 53 passing through the other end 22 and engaging with the screw 52. By screwing the screw 52 into the screw hole 53, this terminal connection mechanism 50 causes the pressing plate 51 to approach the other end 22 and clamp the terminal T3 inserted therebetween.

[0039] Thus, the terminal block 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with an engaging portion 43 that engages with the tool t on the operating member 40. And this engaging portion 43 is configured to be in a state where it can engage with the tool t when the terminals T1 and T2 are inserted between the conductive member 20 and the pressing member 30, while being in a state where it cannot engage with the tool t in a non-connected state where the terminals T1 and T2 are not inserted. Note that since this configuration is also symmetric with respect to the conductive member 20, only the configuration on the side of the first terminal insertion port 11 will be described below.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this engaging portion 43 is formed on the surface of the operating member 40 facing the operating window 14. The engaging portion 43 of the present embodiment has a concave shape and a hooking surface 43s on which the tool t can be hooked. More specifically, when removing the terminal t, the operating member 40 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the engaging portion 43 has a surface facing the direction opposite to this predetermined direction, and this surface becomes the hooking surface 43s. Note that the engaging portion 43 is not limited to a concave shape and may be, for example, a convex shape.

[0041] In the connected state, this engaging portion 43 moves to a position where the hooking surface 43s is exposed from the operating window 14, that is, an engaging position where it can engage with the tool t (see FIG. 5(b)), and in the non-connected state, the hooking surface 43s moves to a position close to and facing the inner surface of the edge of the operating window 14 and hidden, that is, a non-engaging position where it cannot engage with the tool t (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0042] Next, the operation of the terminal block 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0043] First, as shown in FIG. 5(a), in the non-connected state, one end piece 33 of the pressing member 30 is in contact with the conductive member 20. In this state, the engaging portion 43 moves to the non-engaged position. At this non-engaged position, the engaging surface 43s is hidden by the edge of the operation window 14. As a result, the tool t cannot be engaged with the engaging surface 43s.

[0044] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when the terminal T1 is inserted between the conductive member 20 and the pressing member 30 from the terminal insertion port 11, one end piece 32 of the pressing member 30 is pushed by the terminal T1 and elastically deforms in a direction away from the conductive member 20. As a result, the terminal T1 is pressed against and connected to the conductive member 20 by the restoring force of the pressing member 30. Further, when one end piece 32 of the pressing member 30 elastically deforms, the operating member 40 rotates accordingly, and the engaging surface 43s is exposed to the outside from the operation window 14. As a result, the tool t can be engaged with the engaging surface 43s.

[0045] When removing the terminal T1, as shown in FIG. 6, the tool t is hooked on the engaging surface 43s and the operating member 40 is rotated in a predetermined direction. As a result, as the operating member 40 rotates, one end piece 32 of the pressing member 30 elastically deforms in a direction away from the conductive member 20, and the pressing on the terminal t is released. When the terminal T1 is removed and the tool t is removed, the pressing member 20 returns and contacts the conductive member 20. That is, it returns to the non-connected state shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0046] According to the present embodiment, the connection state can be confirmed by whether or not a tool can be engaged with the engaging portion 43 originally provided on the operating member 40. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide an indicator dedicated to confirming the connection state, and the terminal block 100 can be miniaturized.

[0047] Also, in the non-connected state, since the engaging portion 43 is configured to be hidden by the case 10, the connection state can be visually confirmed. Further, since it is configured to be hidden by the edge of the operation window 14, there is no need to provide a dedicated window for confirming the connection state, and the terminal block 100 can be further miniaturized.

[0048] Moreover, since it is configured to return to the non-connected state by utilizing the restoring force of the pressing member 30, when the terminal T1 is removed, the engaging portion 43 automatically moves to the non-engaged position. Therefore, the connection state can be accurately grasped.

[0049] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiments, when the engaging portion is hidden by the edge of the operation window, it becomes a state where it cannot be engaged with the tool, but it may remain in a state where it can be engaged with the tool. Even in such a configuration, when the engaging portion is configured to engage the tool from a predetermined direction, it is possible to confirm whether it is in the connected state based on the appearance of the engaging portion visible from the operation window as viewed from the predetermined direction.

[0050] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the engaging portion is made in a state where it cannot be engaged with the tool by hiding it by the edge of the operation window, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an engaging portion may be provided at a portion protruding from the operation window of the operation member, and by operating the operation member, the engaging portion may be configured to be close to and face the outer surface of the case and be in a state where it cannot be engaged with the tool.

[0051] Also, in the above-described embodiments, since the operation member is of the type that is hooked and operated at the tip of the tool, the engaging portion is formed to have a hooked surface that is concave or convex. However, for example, when the operation member is of the type that is pushed and operated at the tip of the tool, the engaging portion may be flat. In this case, for example, the engaging portion may be colored, and the connection state can be confirmed even if the colored engaging portion is made to appear and disappear.

[0052] In addition, combinations and modifications of parts of various embodiments may be made as long as they do not contravene the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] T1: Terminal T2: Terminal T3: Terminal t: Tool 100: Terminal block 10: Case 11: First terminal insertion port 12: Second terminal insertion port 14: First operation window 15: Second operation window 20: Conductive member 30: Pressing member 40: Operating member 43: Engaging portion 43s: Hooking surface

Claims

1. A case having a terminal insertion port on its outer surface, A conductive member provided in the case to which a terminal inserted through the terminal insertion port is connected, A pressing member installed so as to face the conductive member and pressing the terminal inserted therebetween against the conductive member for connection, And an operating member for moving the pressing member that presses the terminal away from the terminal, The operating member includes an engaging portion for engaging a tool and can be operated by the tool engaged with the engaging portion, The engaging portion is configured to be engageable with the tool in a connected state in which the terminal is inserted between the conductive member and the pressing member, and not engageable with the tool in a non-connected state in which the terminal is not inserted. A terminal block characterized by that.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is configured to move to an engaging position where the tool can be engaged with the engaging portion in the connected state and to a non-engaging position where the tool cannot be engaged with the engaging portion in the non-connected state.

3. The terminal block according to claim 2, wherein the non-engaging position is a position where at least a part of the engaging portion faces close to and opposite to the outer surface or the inner surface of the case and cannot be engaged with the tool.

4. The case further has an operation window on its outer surface for exposing the operating member to the outside, The engaging position is a position where the engaging portion is exposed from the operation window so as to be engageable with the tool, The terminal block according to claim 2, wherein the non-engaging position is a position where at least a part of the engaging portion is hidden from the tool at the edge of the operation window so as not to be engageable.

5. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has a catching surface that catches when the operating member is operated.

6. When the pressing member is elastically deformed by being pressed by the terminal when the terminal is inserted between the pressing member and the conductive member. The terminal block according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion is configured to move from the engaged position to the non-engaged position by the restoring force of the pressing member when the terminal is removed from between the conductive member and the pressing member.

7. A case having a terminal insertion opening on the outer surface; A conductive member provided in the case and connected to a terminal inserted through the terminal insertion opening; A pressing member installed so as to face the conductive member and pressing and connecting the terminal inserted therebetween to the conductive member; An operating member for moving the pressing member that presses the terminal away from the terminal; The operating member includes an engaging portion for engaging a tool from a predetermined direction and can be operated by the tool engaged with the engaging portion. The terminal block is characterized in that the engaging portion is exposed so as to be engageable with the tool in a connected state in which the terminal is inserted between the conductive member and the pressing member, and at least a part of the engaging portion is hidden by another member when viewed from the predetermined direction in a non-connected state in which the terminal is not inserted.

Images