Terminal block

Abstract

To provide a terminal block which enables reduction of a pressing force applied from a water stop member to a housing and downsizing of the terminal block.SOLUTION: A terminal block 1 includes: a housing 3 that holds a terminal 2; and a water stop member 4 that is accommodated in a groove portion 33 formed on the housing 3 and stops water between the housing 3 and an attachment target 10. The water stop member 4 includes: a main body 41 having an annular shape; a locking portion 42 that protrudes from a side portion of the main body 41 and is engaged with the housing 3; and a protrusion 43 that protrudes from the side portion of the main body 41 and contacts the groove portion 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal block has been known in which terminals are held in a housing and the housing is attached to an object (attached body) by fastening members, as described in Patent Document 1. In this terminal block, a circumferential groove is provided on the surface of the housing facing the object, and a waterproof member is fitted into this circumferential groove to seal off water between the housing and the object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-211933 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such terminal blocks have room for improvement due to the difficulty of miniaturizing them. For example, the terminal block described above has a positioning piece that protrudes outward from the water-stopping member. This makes the water-stopping member large, hindering efforts to miniaturize the terminal block. To address this issue, it is conceivable to form a protrusion protruding from the side of the water-stopping member to allow the water-stopping member to abut against the side of the circumferential groove. However, providing such a protrusion would compress the water-stopping member and strongly press against the circumferential groove when the housing is attached to the object.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a terminal block that can reduce the pressing force of a waterproofing member against a housing and thereby reduce the size of the terminal block. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In other words, the terminal block of the present invention comprises a housing that holds terminals, and a water-stopping member that is accommodated in a groove formed in the housing and that stops water from entering between the housing and the object to which it is attached, and the water-stopping member is configured to have an annular main body, a locking portion that protrudes from the side of the main body and engages with the housing, and a protrusion that protrudes from the side of the main body and abuts against the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the terminal block of the present invention, the pressing force of the waterproofing member against the housing can be reduced, and the terminal block can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram of the waterproofing member for the terminal block according to the embodiment, and is a front view of the terminal block as seen from IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a locking portion in a waterproof member for a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a protrusion in a waterproofing member for a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a terminal block of a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a terminal block of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a terminal block. In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction is referred to as the "mounting direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the mounting direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. Note that "orthogonal" here includes "approximately perpendicular." The mounting direction X corresponds to the direction in which the housing is mounted to the mounting object. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents the direction in which each part is assembled to each other.

[0011] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the terminal block 1 is a component that holds terminals 2, and is attached to an object 10 for use. The terminal block 1 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle, and holds a plurality of terminals 2 arranged along the width direction Y. The object 10 is a vehicle unit that is mounted on or provided on the vehicle, and corresponds to, for example, a component part of the vehicle, or a part, member, or device that is mounted on the vehicle. In Figs. 1 and 2, the object 10 is illustrated as a rectangular parallelepiped for ease of explanation, but the shape and structure of the object 10 are not limited to this. The terminal block 1 includes terminals 2, a housing 3, and a waterproofing member 4.

[0012] The housing 3 is a component that holds the terminals 2 and is fitted to the mounting object 10, and is configured, for example, by a protrusion 32 protruding from a main body 31. The main body 31 is plate-shaped and is disposed facing the mounting surface 10A of the mounting object 10, and is attached to the mounting object 10. The main body 31 is, for example, a rectangular plate that is longer in the width direction Y than in the height direction Z. Note that the term "rectangle" also includes a substantially rectangular shape. The protrusion 32 protrudes in the mounting direction X from the surface of the main body 31 that faces the mounting object 10. When the terminal block 1 is attached to the mounting object 10, the protrusion 32 is inserted into a fitting portion 11 formed in the mounting object 10. The fitting portion 11 is a hole formed in the mounting object 10, and is formed by recessing the mounting surface 10A.

[0013] The housing 3 is formed with a mounting hole 311 and a protrusion 312. The mounting hole 311 is a hole used to mount the housing 3 to the mounting object 10, and is formed to penetrate the main body 31 along the mounting direction X. A fastening member (not shown) is inserted into the mounting hole 311. That is, the housing 3 is fixed to the mounting object 10 by inserting the fastening member into the mounting hole 311 and screwing the fastening member into the mounting object 10. The protrusion 312 is a protrusion that protrudes from the mounting surface 31A of the main body 31 in the mounting direction X. The protrusion 312 functions as a member for determining the mounting position of the housing 3. For example, one mounting hole 311 and one protrusion 312 are provided at positions sandwiching the terminal 2.

[0014] The terminals 2 are members formed of a conductive material, and for example, plate-shaped terminal fittings are used. The terminals 2 are provided facing the mounting direction X and penetrate the main body 31 along the mounting direction X. That is, the main body 31 holds the terminals 2 by penetrating them in the mounting direction X. A plurality of terminals 2 are provided, for example, three terminals 2 arranged side by side along the width direction Y. The terminals 2 are formed, for example, bent in a crank shape. Specifically, the terminals 2 are bent from the mounting direction X to the height direction Z and then bent from the height direction Z back to the mounting direction X. The portion of the terminal 2 bent in the height direction Z abuts against the surface of the main body 31, and the portion bent from the height direction Z to the mounting direction X penetrates the main body 31 and is arranged along the protrusion 32.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 4, the water-stopping member 4 is a member that stops water from entering between the housing 3 and the attachment object 10, and is formed of an annular elastic member. The water-stopping member 4 has, for example, a rectangular frame shape, and is attached to the housing 3 so as to surround the terminal 2. The water-stopping member 4 is housed in a groove 33 formed in the housing 3 and attached to the housing 3. The groove 33 is a groove formed by recessing the attachment surface 31A of the main body 31 in the attachment direction X, and is formed, for example, so as to surround the terminal 2.

[0016] The water-stopping member 4 has a main body 41, a locking portion 42, and a protrusion 43. The main body 41 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and is a part that abuts against the groove portion 33 of the housing 3 and the attachment object 10, thereby providing a water-stopping function. Specifically, the main body 41 is formed in a rectangular frame shape with rounded corners.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 5, the locking portion 42 protrudes from the side of the main body 41 and engages with the housing 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of portion V shown in FIG. 4. For example, the locking portions 42 protrude from the inner and outer surfaces of the side of the main body 41. A plurality of the locking portions 42 are provided at intervals along the extension direction of the water-stopping member 4 and engage with pins 34 formed on the housing 3. The pins 34 are rod-shaped portions that protrude from the mounting surface 31A of the main body 31 of the housing 3 in the mounting direction X. The locking portion 42 has a through-hole 421 that penetrates along the mounting direction X, and the pins 34 are inserted into the through-hole 421 to engage with the housing 3. The engagement of the locking portion 42 with the housing 3 restricts movement of the water-stopping member 4 in the extension direction. Furthermore, the formation of the locking portion 42 allows the water-stopping member 4 to be mounted at a desired position relative to the groove portion 33.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusions 43 are portions that protrude from the side of the main body 41 and come into contact with the grooves 33. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion VI shown in FIG. 4. For example, the protrusions 43 protrude from the inner and outer surfaces of the side of the main body 41, and are provided at intervals along the extension direction of the water-stopping member 4. The protrusions 43 come into contact with the side walls 331 of the grooves 33, restricting movement of the water-stopping member 4 within the grooves 33. Therefore, the protrusions 43 suppress deterioration of the water-stopping function of the water-stopping member 4 due to movement or deformation of the water-stopping member 4.

[0019] In FIG. 4 , when the water-stopping member 4 is divided into two regions by a boundary line 9, the locking portion 42 is provided in one of the two regions, and the protrusion 43 is provided in the other of the two regions. The boundary line 9 is an imaginary line for defining the two regions, and is set, for example, so as to pass through the installation positions of the terminals 2. Specifically, when the boundary line 9 is set along the width direction Y through the installation positions of the terminals 2, the water-stopping member 4 is divided into a first region 91 and a second region 92 by the boundary line 9. That is, the first region 91 and the second region 92 are different regions in the water-stopping member 4. The locking portion 42 is formed in the first region 91 of the water-stopping member 4, and the protrusion 43 is formed in the second region 92 of the water-stopping member 4. In this way, by arranging the locking portion 42 and the protrusion 43 in separate regions, the terminal block 1 can be made smaller while reducing the pressing force of the water-stopping member 4 against the housing 3.

[0020] Furthermore, when the mounting surface 10A of the object 10 is a vertical surface, a nearly vertical surface, or a surface inclined from a horizontal surface, the first region 91 is the region above the water-stopping member 4, and the second region 92 is the region below the first region 91. In this case, the locking portion 42 is formed in the first region 91 above the water-stopping member 4, and the protrusion 43 is formed in the second region 92 below the water-stopping member 4. In this case, the terminal block 1 can reduce the pressing force of the water-stopping member 4 against the housing 3 while enhancing the water-stopping function of the water-stopping member 4. In other words, by forming the protrusion 43 that enhances the water-stopping function in the lower second region 92, the terminal block 1 can ensure the water-stopping function between the housing 3 and the object 10 by the water-stopping member 4 even when water accumulates around the lower part of the water-stopping member 4, thereby enhancing the water-stopping function of the water-stopping member 4.

[0021] Next, the connection of the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0022] The terminal block 1 of this embodiment is connected to the object 10 to be attached, for example, by sequentially fitting the water-stopping member 4 into the housing 3, fitting the housing 3 to the object 10 to be attached, and fastening the fastening member.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, fitting the water-stopping member 4 is a process of attaching the water-stopping member 4 to the housing 3. That is, the water-stopping member 4 is fitted into the groove 33 of the housing 3. At this time, the water-stopping member 4 is fitted into the groove 33 so that the locking portion 42 engages with the pin 34. Therefore, the water-stopping member 4 is securely fitted into the desired position in the groove 33. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the water-stopping member 4 is attached to the housing 3 so that the locking portion 42 is located in the first region 91 and the protrusion 43 is located in the second region 92. At this time, the protrusion 43 is formed only in the second region 92, so fitting of the water-stopping member 4 is carried out smoothly.

[0024] 8, if the terminal block 102 had protrusions 43 formed over the entire area of ​​the water-stopping member 4, a strong force would be required to fit the entire area of ​​the water-stopping member 4 into the housing 3, which may prevent the water-stopping member 4 from being fitted smoothly. In contrast, the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment has protrusions 43 formed only in the second area 92, which allows the water-stopping member 4 to be fitted smoothly.

[0025] 7, if the terminal block 101 had locking portions 42 formed over the entire area of ​​the water-stopping member 4 and no protrusions 43 formed, the water-stopping member 4 could be fitted smoothly, but the water-stopping member 4 would be large, making it difficult to reduce the size of the terminal block 1. In other words, because the locking portions 42 protrude outward, the installation area of ​​the water-stopping member 4 would be large, resulting in an increase in the size of the terminal block 1. In contrast, the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment has the locking portions 42 and the protrusions 43 formed in separate areas on the water-stopping member 4, making it possible to reduce the size of the terminal block 1.

[0026] After the fitting of the water-stopping member 4 is completed, the housing 3 is fitted to the object 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. That is, the housing 3 is positioned with the protruding portion 32 facing the object 10, and is fitted to the object 10 so that the protruding portion 32 is inserted into the fitting portion 11.

[0027] Then, the fastening member is fastened. The fastening member is inserted into the mounting hole 311 of the housing 3 and screwed into the attachment object 10, fastening the housing 3 to the attachment object 10. At this time, in FIG. 4, the water-stopping member 4 abuts against the attachment object 10 and is pressed against the housing 3 and the attachment object 10. As a result, the water-stopping member 4 applies a pressing force to the groove portion 33. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 43 presses against the side wall 331 of the groove portion 33, and the side wall 331 receives a pressing force from the water-stopping member 4.

[0028] However, because the protrusions 43 are formed only in the second region 92, the pressing force that the side wall 331 receives is alleviated compared to when the protrusions 43 are formed in the entire region of the water-stopping member 4. In other words, the pressing force received in the second region 92 can be dissipated to the first region 91 side, and therefore the burden on the housing 3 is suppressed.

[0029] For example, if the protrusions 43 were formed over the entire area of ​​the water-stopping member 4 as shown in Fig. 8, a strong pressing force would be applied to the side walls 331 of the grooves 33 over the entire area of ​​the water-stopping member 4. This would cause a large stress on the housing 3. In contrast, the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment has the protrusions 43 formed only in the second area 92, thereby reducing the pressing force of the water-stopping member 4 and the burden on the housing 3.

[0030] When all the fastening members have been fastened, the connection of the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment to the attachment object 10 is complete.

[0031] As described above, the terminal block 1 of this embodiment can reduce the pressing force of the water-stopping member 4 against the housing 3 and make the terminal block 1 smaller by forming the locking portion 42 and the protrusion 43 on the water-stopping member 4.

[0032] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, by providing the locking portion 42 in the first region 91 of the water-stopping member 4 and the protrusion 43 in the second region 92 of the water-stopping member 4, the pressing force of the water-stopping member 4 against the housing 3 can be reduced while accurately miniaturizing the terminal block 1.

[0033] Furthermore, in the terminal block 1 of this embodiment, the first region 91 is the region above the water-stopping member 4 and the second region 92 is the region below the water-stopping member 4, thereby ensuring the water-stopping function of the water-stopping member 4 while reducing the pressing force of the water-stopping member 4 against the housing 3.

[0034] The terminal block according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The terminal block 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0035] For example, although the terminal block 1 according to the above embodiment has been described as being mounted on a vehicle, it may also be used without being mounted on a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1:Terminal block 2: Terminal 3: Housing 4:Water-stopping material 10: Mounting object 33: Groove 41: Main body 42: Locking part 43: Protrusion 91:First area 92:Second area

Claims

1. a housing for holding the terminals; a water-stopping member that is received in a groove formed in the housing and that stops water from entering between the housing and the object to which the housing is attached; The water-stopping member has an annular main body, a locking portion that protrudes from a side portion of the main body and engages with the housing, and a protrusion that protrudes from the side portion of the main body and abuts against the groove portion. terminal block.

2. The locking portion is provided in a first region of the water-stopping member, The protrusion is provided in a second region different from the first region of the water-stopping member. The terminal block according to claim 1 .

3. the first region is a region located above the water-stopping member, The second region is a region of the water-stopping member that is located lower than the first region. The terminal block according to claim 2 .

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