Terminal structure

Abstract

To easily confirm a position of a wire even in a state where the wire is sandwiched.SOLUTION: A terminal structure to which a wire is electrically connected comprises: a terminal component 11 including a first wire connection part to which a first wire is connectable in one end and including a second wire connection part 112 to which a second wire is connectable in the other end; a pressing part capable of pressing the first wire, which is disposed on the first wire connection part, from above the first wire connection part; a fastening spring part capable of applying a downward load to the pressing part; and an operation lever 14 which is operated when vertically moving the pressing part. The operation lever is shifted down so as to cover the second wire connection part, such that the first wire disposed on the first wire connection part can be pressed by the pressing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal structure. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a terminal structure is known that can switch between a state in which an electric wire is clamped and connected and a state in which the wire is released by rotating an operating lever. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-150173

[0004] In the terminal structure described in Patent Document 1, when the operating lever is operated to clamp an electric wire, the operating lever is positioned so as to cover the electric wire, which can make it difficult to see the position of the clamped electric wire. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have made extensive research into this issue and have attempted to solve it. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to make it easier to check the position of an electric wire even when the electric wire is pinched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a terminal structure for electrically connecting electric wires is provided, which includes a terminal part having a first electric wire connection portion at one end to which a first electric wire can be connected and a second electric wire connection portion at the other end to which a second electric wire can be connected, a pressing portion capable of pressing the first electric wire arranged on the first electric wire connection portion from above the first electric wire connection portion, a tightening spring portion capable of applying a downward load to the pressing portion, and an operating lever that is operated to move the pressing portion up and down, and by tilting the operating lever so as to cover the second electric wire connection portion, the terminal structure is capable of pressing the first electric wire arranged on the first electric wire connection portion with the pressing portion.

[0007] It is also preferable that the operating lever has a hole that is positioned substantially directly above the second wire connecting portion when the operating lever is tilted down to cover the second wire connecting portion.

[0008] It is also preferable that a plurality of terminal parts are provided, and that the electric wires can be connected to the plurality of terminal parts by operating one operating lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, even when an electric wire is pinched, the position of the electric wire can be easily confirmed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a terminal device according to an embodiment, as seen from above, with the operating lever standing upright. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the members that move the pressing portion and the terminal component. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an operating lever of the terminal device shown in FIG. 1 is laid down. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the terminal device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a side view of the terminal device shown in FIG. [Figure 7]10 is a diagram showing an example in which a thick electric wire is placed on the first electric wire connection portion, where the terminal device is cut horizontally to the bottom surface midway in the vertical direction. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example in which a thin electric wire is placed above the left side of the first electric wire connection portion, where the terminal device is cut horizontally to the bottom halfway up and down. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state after the wire has been pushed in from the state shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a wire guide wall member. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the positional relationship between the wire guide wall member and the insertion completion indicating member. [Figure 12] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal device that can be operated to clamp a plurality of electric wires with one operating lever, with the operating lever in a tilted position. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the operating lever of the terminal device shown in FIG. 12 is raised. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the invention is described below. A terminal structure according to this embodiment electrically connects an electric wire. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4 , this terminal structure includes a terminal component 11 having a first electric wire connection portion 111 to which a first electric wire 81 can be connected at one end and a second electric wire connection portion 112 to which a second electric wire can be connected at the other end; a pressing portion 12 capable of pressing the first electric wire 81 arranged on the first electric wire connection portion 111 from above the first electric wire connection portion 111; a tightening spring portion 13 capable of applying a downward load to the pressing portion 12; and an operating lever 14 operated to move the pressing portion 12 up and down. Furthermore, by tilting the operating lever 14 so as to cover the second electric wire connection portion 112, the pressing portion 12 can press the first electric wire 81 arranged on the first electric wire connection portion 111. This makes it easy to confirm the position of the electric wire even when the electric wire is clamped.

[0012] Here, an example of a terminal device 1 having a terminal structure will be described. The terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a terminal block used in temporary distribution boards and the like, and is mainly used at construction sites. This terminal device 1 has a terminal component 11 to both ends of which different electric wires are connected. One end of this terminal component 11 has a first electric wire connection portion 111 to which a first electric wire 81 can be connected, and the other end has a second electric wire connection portion 112 to which a second electric wire can be connected (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this example, a protruding portion extending in the left-right direction and provided at one end of the terminal component 11 is the first electric wire connection portion 111. Also, in this example, a portion near a through hole 112a provided at the other end of the terminal component 11 is the second electric wire connection portion 112.

[0013] In this example, on the first electric wire connection portion 111 side, the first electric wire 81 placed on the first electric wire connection portion 111 is firmly clamped between the first electric wire connection portion 111 and the pressing portion 12 to prevent it from coming loose. In contrast, on the second electric wire connection portion 112 side, the electric wire placed in the second electric wire connection portion 112 is fixed using a male screw 41 inserted into a through hole 112a provided in the second electric wire connection portion 112. However, the second electric wire connection portion 112 does not need to be configured in this manner, and the second electric wire may be connected using the elastic force of a spring member or the like. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 12 is made of metal.

[0014] Here, a description will be given of a structure that enables the pressing portion 12 to press the first electric wire 81 arranged on the first electric wire connection portion 111. As can be seen from FIG. 3 , in this example, the tightening spring portion 13 is located above the pressing portion 12 that extends in the left-right direction. In this example, the tightening spring portion 13 is a compression coil spring, and is arranged inside the yoke portion 16. With this configuration, the yoke portion 16 can restrict the upward movement of the upper end of the tightening spring portion 13.

[0015] Additionally, the pressing portion 12 is inserted into slits 161 provided on the left and right sides of the yoke portion 16. Therefore, these slits 161 can guide the pressing portion 12 when the pressing portion 12 moves up and down. Note that the pressing portion 12 has an uneven shape on the top to prevent the pressing portion 12 and the tightening spring portion 13 from separating.

[0016] 3, yoke portion 16 has a generally U-shaped cross section with an open bottom, and the bottom of yoke portion 16 is connected to terminal component 11. When yoke portion 16 and terminal component 11 are connected, first wire connection portion 111 is covered by yoke portion 16.

[0017] In order to enable the pressing portion 12 to be moved upward by operating the operating lever 14, the operating lever 14 and the pressing portion 12 are connected by a connecting part 15. The connecting part 15 shown in FIG. 3 has hook parts 151 on both ends, and each hook part 151 is hooked onto the pressing portion 12 on the outside of the yoke part 16. Therefore, when the hook parts 151 of the connecting part 15 move upward, the pressing portion 12 can be moved upward. In this state, the tightening spring part 13 contracts. Furthermore, when the force pulling the connecting part 15 upward is released in this state, the compressed tightening spring part 13 tries to restore its original shape, and the pressing portion 12 moves downward.

[0018] Incidentally, temporary distribution boards are connected to electric wires of different sizes because the current values ​​vary depending on the electrical devices and electrical equipment used. In other words, the thickness of the electric wires sandwiched between the first electric wire connection portion 111 and the pressing portion 12 is not uniform. However, because the force of the clamping spring portion 13 attempting to restore its original shape is strong, the first electric wire 81 can be firmly fixed even if it has a relatively small diameter. Of course, if the diameter is relatively large, it can be fixed with a force greater than that required to fix an electric wire with a small diameter. To make this possible, it is preferable that the clamping spring portion 13 be a compression coil spring.

[0019] Furthermore, the operating lever 14 that moves the connecting part 15 can be raised or lowered, and the connecting part 15 can be moved by raising or lowering the operating lever 14. More specifically, when the operating lever 14 is extended so as to be substantially parallel to the terminal part 11, the force pulling the connecting part 15 upward is released, and the pressing part 12 and the first wire connecting part 111 come as close as possible to each other. In other words, when the first electric wire 81 is placed on the first wire connecting part 111, the first electric wire 81 is sandwiched between the first wire connecting part 111 and the pressing part 12 and firmly fixed.

[0020] In addition, in this embodiment, the operating lever 14 in this state is positioned so as to cover the second wire connecting portion 112. Therefore, the operating lever 14 prevents unintentional contact with the second wire connecting portion 112. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a cover to cover the second wire connecting portion 112.

[0021] In the example shown in Fig. 4, the operating lever 14 is provided with a hole 141 so that unintentional contact with the second electric wire connection portion 112 can be prevented by the operating lever 14 while tasks such as checking continuity can be performed. This hole 141 is preferably located directly above the second electric wire connection portion 112, but even if it is slightly misaligned, continuity can still be checked. As can be understood from this description, it is preferable that the hole 141 be located approximately directly above the second electric wire connection portion 112 when the operating lever 14 is tilted so as to cover the second electric wire connection portion 112. Note that if the hole 141 is configured to overlap the second electric wire connection portion 112 in a plan view, it is also possible to insert a screwdriver or the like into the hole 141 to tighten or loosen the male screw 41 (see Fig. 5).

[0022] Furthermore, when the operating lever 14 is tilted down so as to cover the second wire connecting portion 112, it is preferable that a space large enough to insert a finger be secured directly below the tip of the operating lever 14. In the example shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, in order to make it easier to insert a finger in the left-right direction, a recessed portion 142 that is arc-shaped in side view is provided on the tip side of the operating lever 14, on the surface that faces the second wire connecting portion 112 when the operating lever 14 is tilted down. Note that this recessed portion 142 does not have to be arc-shaped in side view, but if it is arc-shaped in side view, it becomes easier to hook a finger.

[0023] On the other hand, when the operating lever 14 is operated to raise the pressing part 12 from a lying position, the pressing part 12 can be pulled upward via the connecting part 15. To make this possible, the connecting part 15 is connected to the operating lever 14. By operating the operating lever 14 to raise or lower, the position and height of the connecting part of the connecting part 15 change, and the pressing part 12 connected to the connecting part 15 can be moved.

[0024] The terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a protective portion 31 capable of protecting the yoke portion 16 and the like. The protective portion 31 of this embodiment includes a first protective portion 311 capable of supporting the terminal component 11 and a second protective portion 312 capable of supporting the operating lever 14 (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The first protective portion 311 is capable of preventing contact with the terminal component 11 from the left or right. The first protective portion 311 is configured to be fixable to a support member (not shown) or the like. The second protective portion 312 is capable of preventing the operating lever 14 from shifting in orientation. Typically, the first protective portion 311 is attached after the second protective portion 312 has been attached.

[0025] The first protection portion 311 also has a wire insertion opening 312a into which the first wire 81 to be connected to the first wire connection portion 111 can be inserted. Note that, although the wire insertion opening 312a has a substantially rectangular cross section in the example shown in Fig. 1, it is not limited to such a shape.

[0026] It is preferable that the length of the operating lever 14 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the protective part 31 in the front-rear direction. In this way, it is possible to prevent the operating lever 14 from appearing to protrude in the front-rear direction relative to the entire device when the operating lever 14 is tilted. In particular, it is preferable that the front end of the operating lever 14 is located rearward of the front end of the protective part 31 when the operating lever 14 is tilted, and the rear end of the operating lever 14 is located forward of the rear end of the protective part 31 (see FIG. 6).

[0027] 1 and 4, the end of the operating lever 14 to which the connecting part 15 is connected is located substantially directly above the first wire connection part 111, but it may be slightly shifted. In the example shown in Fig. 6, when the pressing part 12 presses the first wire connection part 111, the operating lever 14 is substantially parallel to the installation surface, but it may be inclined relative to the installation surface as long as it can cover the second wire connection part 112.

[0028] Furthermore, when the pressing portion 12 is held at a distance from the first wire connection portion 111, the end of the operating lever 14 on the side to which the connecting part 15 is not connected is preferably positioned approximately directly above the first wire connection portion 111 or the wire insertion port 312a. Furthermore, even when the operating lever 14 is raised, the operating lever 14 is preferably positioned rearward of the front end of the entire terminal device 1.

[0029] In the embodiment, the wire guide wall member 51 is provided on the inner side of the first wire connection portion 111 when viewed from the wire insertion opening 312a, that is, on the rear side of the first wire connection portion 111 (toward the second wire connection portion 112). The wire guide wall member 51 has a guide portion 511 that can adjust the position of an electric wire when the electric wire having a hard core comes into contact with the guide portion 51. The guide portion 511 is preferably configured to have inclined surfaces 511a on the left and right sides such that the spacing between the guide portions 511 gradually narrows toward the rear (see FIG. 7). The example shown in FIG. 7 has a guide portion 511 that is substantially V-shaped in plan view. However, other shapes, such as a substantially U-shaped guide portion 511, may also be used.

[0030] 7 facilitates the state in which the first electric wire 81 passes through the center in the left-right direction of the first electric wire connecting portion 111, and each of the inclined surfaces 511a is formed symmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center in the front-rear direction of the first electric wire connecting portion 111 in a plan view. Therefore, for example, if the electric wire is inserted unevenly to one side, as the electric wire is inserted, the tip of the electric wire moves along the electric wire guide wall, and the position of the tip of the electric wire is adjusted in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 8 and 9). This makes it easier to position the first electric wire 81 in an appropriate state.

[0031] In this embodiment, the wire guide wall member 51 is rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction, allowing a portion of the wire to be pushed rearward by the wire. Rotating the wire guide wall member 51 in this manner applies a rotational force to the insertion completion indicator member 52. When the insertion completion indicator member 52 rotates in this manner, the user can confirm that the insertion completion indicator member 52 has rotated through the window 312b provided in the protective portion 31. This allows the user to know that the appropriate amount of inserted wire can be clamped in the appropriate position. Once this state is confirmed, the user simply pushes down the operating lever 14.

[0032] Incidentally, in the examples described above, one pressing portion 12 is operated with one operating lever 14 to clamp an electric wire between one terminal part 11 and the pressing portion 12, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, multiple pressing portions 12 may be operated with the operating lever 14 to clamp each electric wire arranged on multiple terminal parts 11.

[0033] 12 and 13, one operating lever 14 is configured to be able to clamp each of the electric wires inserted through the three electric wire insertion ports 312a. Of course, the electric wires inserted through each of the electric wire insertion ports 312a are connected to different terminal parts 11. As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to have a configuration in which a plurality of terminal parts 11 are provided and electric wires can be connected to the plurality of terminal parts 11 by operating one operating lever 14. In this case, it is preferable to have a configuration in which a plurality of pressing parts 12 can be operated by operating one operating lever 14 and electric wires can be connected to the plurality of terminal parts 11.

[0034] Although the present invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various other forms. For example, the clamping spring portion can be a leaf spring instead of a compression coil spring. Furthermore, the terminal structure is not limited to use in terminal blocks. For example, the terminal structure can be used in other power distribution devices such as circuit breakers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 11 Terminal parts 12 Pressing section 13 Fastening spring 14 Operating lever 141 Hole

Claims

1. A terminal structure to which an electric wire is electrically connected, a terminal component having a first wire connection portion at one end to which a first wire can be connected and a second wire connection portion at the other end to which a second wire can be connected; a pressing portion that can press the first electric wire arranged on the first electric wire connection portion from above the first electric wire connection portion; a tightening spring portion capable of applying a downward load to the pressing portion; an operating lever that is operated when moving the pressing part up and down; Equipped with A terminal structure in which the operating lever is tilted so as to cover the second wire connection portion, thereby allowing the pressing portion to press the first wire placed on the first wire connection portion.

2. 2. The terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever has a hole that is positioned substantially directly above the second wire connecting portion when the operating lever is tilted down to cover the second wire connecting portion.

3. A plurality of terminal parts are provided, 3. The terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the electric wires can be connected to a plurality of terminal components by operating one operating lever.

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