Cable routing structure and terminal block

Abstract

To provide a cable routing structure and terminal block that facilitate cable routing. [Solution] The cable routing structure has a bottom surface that is elongated in the direction of cable routing of a bundle of multiple electric wires, and a pair of side surfaces erected at both ends in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface, and comprises a concave cable routing groove with an opening on the side facing the bottom surface, a protruding hook-shaped electric wire holding lock provided on one of the pair of side surfaces, and an electric wire regulating rib provided adjacent to the electric wire holding lock on the other side surface facing the other side surface of the pair of side surfaces, which narrows the width direction of the cable routing groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wiring route structure and a terminal block.

Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a member for holding electric wires, such as an electronic module or a terminal block, in which a wiring groove for accommodating the electric wires is formed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric wire module in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in parallel by an electric wire holder attached to a long bent portion provided on the electric wire to form an electric wire body, and the electric wire body is arranged in an electric wire arrangement hole provided in one of a pair of molding dies. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that this electric wire holder is composed of an electric wire holding body that holds the long bent portion of the electric wire and an electric wire groove that accommodates the electric wire in the electric wire holding body, and the shape of the electric wire groove is substantially the same as that of the long bent portion.

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 as described above can arrange the electric wire body in the electric wire arrangement hole at once without the long bent portions of the electric wires coming apart, so that the time required for the arrangement work can be shortened compared with the conventional method of arranging the electric wires one by one in the electric wire arrangement hole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the electric wires may overlap in the electric wire arrangement hole or may be offset to one side or both ends in the width direction of the electric wire groove. Therefore, wiring is difficult.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a cable routing structure and terminal block that facilitate cable routing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A wiring path structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bottom portion that is elongated in the wiring direction of a bundle of wires in which a plurality of wires are bundled together, a pair of side portions erected at both ends in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion, a concave wiring groove with an opening on the side facing the bottom portion, a protruding hook-shaped wire holding lock provided on one of the pair of side portions, and a wire regulating rib provided adjacent to the wire holding lock on the other side portion of the pair of side portions that faces the one side portion, and narrowing the width direction of the wiring groove.

[0009] A terminal block according to one embodiment of the present invention has a wiring path structure comprising: a bottom portion that is elongated in the direction of wiring a bundle of wires in which a plurality of wires are bundled together; a pair of side portions erected at both ends in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion; a concave wiring groove with an opening on the side facing the bottom portion; a protruding hook-shaped wire holding lock provided on one of the pair of side portions; and a wire regulating rib provided adjacent to the wire holding lock on the other side portion of the pair of side portions that faces the one side portion, and which narrows the width direction of the wiring groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the wiring path structure and terminal block of one embodiment of the present invention, wiring is easy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the terminal block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a portion of the terminal block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged plan view of the wiring path of the terminal block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]It is an enlarged plan view showing the cable routing structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the cable routing operation in the cross section of the dashed line D-D in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of the terminal block according to the comparative example. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a part of the terminal block according to the comparative example. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged plan view of the cable routing of the terminal block according to the comparative example. [Figure 9] It is an enlarged plan view showing the cable routing structure according to the comparative example. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining the cable routing operation in the cross section of the dashed line B-B in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] It is an enlarged plan view showing the cable routing structure according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same or similar functions. Note that the following embodiments show examples of typical embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by these descriptions, and various combinations, modifications, and changes are possible within the scope of the gist.

[0013] (First Embodiment) First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the cable routing structure of the terminal block 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the terminal block 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the range C in FIG. 1 of the terminal block 10, enlarged. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the cable routing 20 of the terminal block 10.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the terminal block 10 includes, as a wiring path structure, a connector housing portion 12 that houses the connector 11, and a wiring path 20 that wires a plurality of electric wires 13, 14, 15 connected to components such as the connector 11.

[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the structure of the wiring path 20 of the terminal block 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the wiring path 20 is provided with a wiring groove 21, a plurality of wire holding locks 26, 27, and a plurality of wire regulating ribs 31. Note that the number of wire holding locks and wire regulating ribs is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0017] The wiring groove 21 has a bottom surface portion 22 that is long in the wiring direction of a wire bundle in which a plurality of electric wires 14, 15 are bundled, and a pair of side surface portions 23, 24 erected at both ends in the short direction that intersects (for example, is orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface portion 22. An opening 25 is formed in the wiring groove 21 on the side facing the bottom surface portion 22. The opening 25 has an open concave shape.

[0018] The wire holding lock 26 is provided near the opening 25 of one of the pair of side surface portions 23, 24, which is the first side surface portion 23. The wire holding lock 27 is provided near the opening 25 of the other of the pair of side surface portions 23, 24, which is the second side surface portion 24. The wire holding locks 26, 27 have a protruding hook shape. An inclination is formed in each of the wire holding locks 26, 27 from the opening 25 toward the bottom surface portion 22.

[0019] Around the wire holding locks 26, 27, lock removal holes 28, 29 are formed for providing the wire holding locks 26, 27 to the pair of side surface portions 23, 24. Note that the number of lock removal holes is not limited to two, and may be three or more according to the number of wire holding locks.

[0020] Multiple wire regulating ribs 31 are provided on each of the pair of side portions 23 and 24 of the cable routing groove 21, and serve to narrow the width of the cable routing groove 21. Each wire regulating rib 31 is provided in a position opposite to the wire holding lock 26 or wire holding lock 27, and extends from the opening 25 of the cable routing groove 21 to the bottom portion 22, spaced apart from the protruding tip of the wire holding lock 26 or 27.

[0021] This structure allows the wiring path 20 to prevent the wires 14 and 15 from floating while arranging them in the center of the width direction of the bottom surface 22 of the wiring groove 21. Alternatively, the wiring path 20 may be provided with wire-holding locks 26 and 27 on one of the first side surface 23 or the second side surface 24, and a wire-regulating rib 31 adjacent to or facing the wire-holding locks 26 and 27 on the other side surface.

[0022] Furthermore, the wire regulating rib 31 is not limited to being provided extending in a direction perpendicular to the opening 25 and the bottom surface 22 (vertical direction), but may also be provided extending in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the opening 25 and the bottom surface 22.

[0023] Furthermore, near the opening 25 of the wire regulating rib 31, a slope is formed from the opening 25 toward the bottom surface 22. This shape makes it easier to insert the wires 14 and 15 to be routed into the routing groove 21 of the routing path 20.

[0024] Furthermore, the wire regulating rib 31 has a semi-elliptical shape when viewed from the direction in which the wire regulating rib 31 extends. This shape prevents the wires 14 and 15 being routed in the wiring path 20 from getting caught on the wire regulating rib 31, making it easier to route them to the bottom surface 22 without resistance. Note that the planar shape of the wire regulating rib 31 is not limited to a semi-elliptical shape; any shape with rounded corners is acceptable.

[0025] (Wire routing operation) Next, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the operation of routing the electric wires 14 and 15 along the routing path 20 will be explained. Figures 5(A) to (C) illustrate the routing operation in the cross-section shown by the dashed line DD in Figure 3.

[0026] First, as shown in Figure 5(A), bring the electric wires 14 and 15 to be routed in the routing groove 21 close to the opening 25 of the routing groove 21.

[0027] Next, the wires 14 and 15, which have been brought close to the opening 25, are picked up by the wire holding lock 26 or wire holding lock 27 and inserted into the cable routing groove 21.

[0028] At this time, as shown in Figure 5(B), the electric wires 14 and 15 are routed towards the center in the width direction of the routing groove 21 by the electric wire regulating rib 31.

[0029] Then, as shown in Figure 5(C), the electric wires 14 and 15 are routed to the bottom portion 22 while being gathered towards the center in the width direction of the routing groove 21.

[0030] (Comparative example) Now, with reference to Figures 6 to 10, the wiring path structure of the terminal block in the comparative example will be described. The difference between the comparative example and this embodiment is that the comparative example has multiple wire-holding locks on both sides of the wiring path.

[0031] Figure 6 is a plan view of the terminal block 40 relating to a comparative example. Figure 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of area A in Figure 6 of the terminal block 40. Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of the cable routing path 41 of the terminal block 40.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the terminal block 40 includes a connector housing section 12 for housing the connector 11, and a wiring path 41 for routing a plurality of electric wires 13, 14, and 15 connected to the connector 11 and other components.

[0033] Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view showing the structure of the wiring path 41 of the terminal block 40. As shown in Figure 9, the wiring path 41 is provided with a wiring groove 21 and a plurality of wire holding locks 26, 27.

[0034] The cable routing groove 21 has a long bottom portion 22 in the direction of cable routing of the bundle of multiple electric wires 14 and 15, and a pair of side portions 23 and 24 erected at both ends in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion 22. The cable routing groove 21 has an opening 25 formed on the side facing the bottom portion 22. The opening 25 has an open concave shape.

[0035] The wire-holding lock 26 is provided near the opening 25 of the first side portion 23 of one of the pair of side portions 23, 24. The wire-holding lock 27 is provided near the opening 25 of the second side portion 24 of the other of the pair of side portions 23, 24.

[0036] The wire retaining locks 26 and 27 have a protruding hook shape. Each of the wire retaining locks 26 and 27 has a slope formed from the opening 25 toward the bottom surface 22. The wire retaining locks 26 and 27 are each provided adjacent to a pair of side surfaces 23 and 24 in an alternating manner. The structure of the wire retaining locks 26 and 27 allows the wiring path 41 to prevent the wires 14 and 15 from floating. Furthermore, these structures allow the wires 14 and 15 to be routed in the wiring path 41 in the center of the width direction of the bottom surface 22 of the wiring groove 21, and not to be positioned toward one or both ends of the width direction of the bottom surface 22, making it easier to route them in the wiring groove 21.

[0037] Around the wire retaining locks 26 and 27, locking holes 28 and 29 are formed for providing each of the wire retaining locks 26 and 27 to a pair of side portions 23 and 24.

[0038] (Rope routing in the comparative example) Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, the operation of routing the electric wires 14 and 15 along the routing path 41 of the comparative example will be described. Figures 10(A) and 10(B) illustrate the routing operation in the cross-section shown by the dashed line BB in Figure 8.

[0039] First, as shown in Figure 10(A), bring the electric wires 14 and 15 that you want to route into the routing groove 21 close to the opening 25 of the routing groove 21.

[0040] Next, the wires 14 and 15 are inserted into the wiring groove 21 while being pulled toward the center in the width direction of the wiring groove 21 by the wire holding locks 26 and 27 which are provided alternately adjacent to the pair of side portions 23 and 24.

[0041] Then, as shown in Figure 10(B), the electric wires 14 and 15 are routed to the bottom surface 22 while being gathered in the center of the width direction of the routing groove 21.

[0042] In the comparative example, the cable routing path 41 has multiple wire retaining locks 26 and 27 arranged alternately adjacent to each other on both sides of the first side portion 23 and the second side portion 24 of the cable routing groove 21. This structure prevents the wires 14 and 15 from floating, and also ensures that the wires 14 and 15 are routed in the center of the cable routing groove 21 in the width direction, rather than towards one or both ends of the cable routing groove 21, making it easier to route them into the cable routing groove 21.

[0043] (Effects of this embodiment) In contrast to the comparative example described above, the wiring path 20 according to this embodiment has wire-holding locks 26 and 27 and wire-regulating ribs 31 facing each other on a pair of side surfaces 23 and 24 of the wiring groove 21. With this structure, when wiring the wires 14 and 15 into the wiring groove 21 of the wiring path 20, the wire-holding locks 26 and 27 guide the wires 14 and 15, and then the wire-regulating ribs 31 move the wires 14 and 15 toward the center in the width direction of the bottom surface 22 while wiring. Therefore, wiring is easier.

[0044] Furthermore, the wiring route 20 eliminates the need to provide wire retaining locks 26 and 27 adjacent to each other in an alternating pattern, compared to the comparative example. This structure of the wiring route 20 allows for a reduction in the number of wire retaining locks 26 and 27, which in turn reduces the number of locking holes 28 and 29, thus preventing a decrease in the amount of resin used in the wiring route 20.

[0045] Therefore, the wiring path 20 makes it easy to route the electric wires 14 and 15 in the center of the width direction of the bottom surface 22, while providing electric wire holding locks on both sides of the pair of side surfaces 23 and 24 to suppress a decrease in the strength of the wiring path 20 and terminal block 10 due to an increase in the number of locking holes. Furthermore, the wiring path 20 does not require a wiring groove for each electric wire, which reduces the effort and cost of the work.

[0046] (Second Embodiment) Referring to Figure 11, the cable routing structure of the terminal block 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0047] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the wire holding lock and wire restricting rib provided in the wire routing path are arranged alternately adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the wire routing groove 21. The other configurations and operations of the terminal block 50 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the terminal block 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0048] Figure 11 is an enlarged plan view showing the structure of the wiring path 60 of the terminal block 50. As shown in Figure 11, the wiring path 60 of the terminal block 50 according to this embodiment is provided with a wiring groove 21, a plurality of wire holding locks 26, and a plurality of wire restricting ribs 61.

[0049] Each wire regulating rib 61 is provided adjacent to the wire holding lock 26 in an alternating manner with respect to the wire holding lock 26, on the second side surface 24 of the pair of side surfaces 23 and 24 of the wiring groove 21, which is opposite the first side surface 23 on which the wire holding lock 26 is provided.

[0050] The wire-holding lock 26 and the wire-regulating rib 61 may be provided on either of the pair of side sections 23 and 24. Furthermore, the wire-regulating rib 61 and the wire-holding lock 26 are not limited to being arranged alternately; they may be provided adjacent to each other in an alternating pattern, regardless of their order.

[0051] According to the structure of the wiring path 60 in this embodiment, similar to the wiring path 20 in the first embodiment, it is possible to easily route the electric wires 14 and 15 to the center in the width direction of the bottom surface 22, while suppressing a decrease in the strength of the wiring path 60 and terminal block 50 due to an increase in the number of locking holes. Furthermore, according to the structure of the wiring path 60, the electric wires 14 and 15 can be stably routed into the wiring groove 21 with fewer electric wire restricting ribs 61 and electric wire holding locks 26 compared to the wiring path 20 in the first embodiment, thus further suppressing a decrease in strength. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 10, 40, 50 terminal block 11 Connectors 12 Connector housing 13, 14, 15 Electric wire 20, 41, 60 Cable routing 21 Cable routing groove 22 Bottom part 23 First side part 24 Second side part 25 Opening 26, 27 Wire holding lock 28, 29 Locking holes 31, 61 Wire control ribs

Claims

1. The wire bundle, in which multiple wires are bundled together, has a long base portion in the direction of wire routing, and a pair of side portions erected at both ends in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the base portion, and a concave wire routing groove with an opening on the side facing the base portion, A protruding hook-shaped wire-holding lock is provided on one of the pair of side surfaces, Of the pair of side surfaces, the other side surface facing one of the side surfaces is provided adjacent to the wire holding lock, and a wire restricting rib is provided to narrow the width direction of the wire routing groove, A cable routing structure equipped with the following features.

2. The cable routing structure according to claim 1, wherein the cable regulating rib is provided at a position opposite to the cable holding lock on the other side surface.

3. The cable routing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable regulating rib extends from the opening of the cable routing groove to the bottom surface.

4. The cable routing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planar shape of the wire regulating rib is semi-elliptical.

5. The cable routing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire holding lock and the wire restricting rib are provided adjacent to each other in an alternating manner in the longitudinal direction of the cable routing groove.

6. The wire bundle, in which multiple wires are bundled together, has a long base portion in the direction of wire routing, and a pair of side portions erected at both ends in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the base portion, and a concave wire routing groove with an opening on the side facing the base portion, A protruding hook-shaped wire-holding lock is provided on one of the pair of side surfaces, Of the pair of side surfaces, the other side surface facing one of the side surfaces is provided adjacent to the wire holding lock, and a wire restricting rib is provided to narrow the width direction of the wire routing groove, A terminal block equipped with a cable routing structure having the following features.

Images