Terminal block

Abstract

The aim is to increase the degree of freedom in setting the range of motion of the nut. [Solution] The terminal block 20 comprises a terminal 22 having a connecting end 24 with a screw insertion hole 24h, a housing 30 covering at least a portion of the terminal, a nut 70 having a screw hole 70h, and a nut holder 50 that combines with the housing next to the connecting end. With the nut holder combined with the housing, the nut is held in a position next to the connecting end, allowing it to move.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a housing, a plate-shaped terminal housed in the housing, and a nut sandwiched between the tip of the terminal and the housing. The housing has a nut accommodation groove, a flange portion accommodation groove for accommodating the flange portion of the nut, and a convex portion protruding into the flange portion accommodation groove. In this connector, the flange portion of the nut is inserted into the flange portion accommodation groove. Further, the flange portion abuts against the convex portion, and the nut is prevented from falling off.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the convex portion protruding into the flange portion accommodation groove is formed at a clever position where the flange portion can be inserted into the flange portion accommodation groove and the flange portion inserted into the flange portion accommodation groove can be prevented from falling off. Therefore, there is a possibility that the degree of freedom in setting the movable range of the nut is limited.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to increase the degree of freedom in setting the movable range of the nut.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The terminal block of this disclosure comprises a terminal having a connecting end with a screw insertion hole formed therein, a housing covering at least a portion of the terminal, a nut having a screw hole, and a nut holder that combines with the housing next to the connecting end, wherein the nut holder is combined with the housing and the nut is held in a position next to the connecting end, allowing movement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the degree of freedom in setting the range of motion of the nut can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing the terminal block. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal block. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the partial projection of the screw and the anti-rotation recess. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] The terminal block of this disclosure is as follows:

[0011] (1) The terminal block comprises a terminal having a connecting end with a screw insertion hole formed therein, a housing covering at least a part of the terminal, a nut having a screw hole, and a nut holder that fits with the housing next to the connecting end, wherein the nut holder is fitted with the housing and the nut is held in a position next to the connecting end with the nut being allowed to move.

[0012] With this terminal block, the nut holder is integrated into the housing, and the nut is held adjacent to the connection end, allowing for movement. The nut holder can be easily designed to match the shape of the nut or to accommodate the desired range of movement. This increases the flexibility in setting the range of motion of the nut.

[0013] (2) The terminal block of (1), wherein the nut holder includes a bottom portion that supports the nut at a position spaced apart from the connection end, and a position restricting portion that restricts the position of the nut from at least one direction intersecting the central axis of the screw hole, wherein when the nut holder is assembled to the housing, the nut is positioned between the bottom portion and the connection end, and the position restricting portion restricts the nut from falling out from between the bottom portion and the connection end while allowing the nut to move.

[0014] This allows the nut holder to be attached to the housing with the nut supported on the bottom. This makes the assembly of the terminal block easier.

[0015] (3)(2) The terminal block may have a bottom recess formed in the bottom portion that is recessed on the extension of the screw hole.

[0016] This allows the bottom recess to catch any debris generated when the screw is threaded into the nut, preventing it from being discharged to the outside. Furthermore, if the tip of the screw protrudes from the nut, it can be positioned within the bottom recess.

[0017] (4) The terminal block according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the housing has a nut arrangement recess that is recessed adjacent to the connection end portion and is surrounded on three sides by a back portion and a pair of side wall portions, and when the nut holder is fitted into the nut arrangement recess, the nut holder is integrated with the housing, the pair of side wall portions position the nut on both sides in the width direction of the nut arrangement recess, and the nut holder may position the nut on the side opposite to the back portion.

[0018] Thereby, the nut can be firmly positioned on both sides in the width direction of the nut arrangement recess. Also, on the side opposite to the back portion, the nut can be positioned by the nut holder.

[0019] (5) The terminal block according to (4), wherein a pair of guide grooves extending from the tip end portion of the side wall portion toward the back portion are formed on the inner side portion of each of the pair of side wall portions, the nut holder has a pair of slider portions that are slidably inserted into each of the pair of guide grooves, locking recesses are formed in each of the pair of guide grooves, and the pair of slider portions may have locking protrusions that lock into the locking recesses in each of the pair of guide grooves.

[0020] Thereby, the nut holder can be held in the nut arrangement recess by utilizing the configuration in which the pair of slider portions are slidably inserted into each of the pair of guide grooves.

[0021] (6) The terminal block according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the nut has a nut body and a partial protrusion that partially protrudes from the outer periphery of the nut body, and the housing or the nut holder may contact the partial protrusion to prevent the nut from rotating.

[0022] Thereby, at a position away from the central axis of the nut, the partial protrusion contacts the housing or the nut holder to prevent the nut from rotating. Therefore, the nut can be more reliably prevented from rotating.

[0023] (7)(6) is a terminal block in which the partial projection protrudes more than the nut holder, and the housing, when combined with the nut holder, has a rotation-preventing recess that receives the partial projection protruding from the nut holder, and the inner surface of the rotation-preventing recess contacts the partial projection to prevent the nut from rotating.

[0024] This makes it easier to make the housing thicker and more rigid than a nut holder. With a housing that is easier to make rigid, the nut can be more reliably prevented from rotating.

[0025] (8) A terminal block of any one of (1) to (7) wherein a screw having a tapered tip that gradually narrows toward the tip may be screwed into the screw hole of the nut through the screw insertion hole.

[0026] This allows the tapered tip to be used to adjust the screw so that the center of the nut aligns with the center of the screw when the screw is threaded onto the nut.

[0027] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the terminal blocks of this disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples, and all modifications are intended to be included in the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims as indicated by the claims.

[0028] [Embodiment] The following describes a terminal block according to an embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the terminal block 20. Figure 2 is a front view showing the terminal block 20. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal block 20. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 2. In Figure 4, the mounting target 10 is shown, and the screw S and mating terminal 18 are indicated by a dashed line.

[0029] The terminal block 20 is fixed to the mounting target 10 which has a through hole 10h. The mounting target 10 is, for example, the case of equipment such as a motor or inverter mounted in a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle. The case may be made of a conductive material, such as metal, or an insulating material such as resin. In Figure 4, etc., a part of the case is shown as the mounting target 10.

[0030] The mounting object 10 has a through hole 10h that penetrates in the thickness direction. The through hole 10h may have a shape in which the same diameter is continuous in the direction of penetration, or it may have a shape in which the diameter changes in a tapered or stepped manner. In this embodiment, the through hole 10h is a circular hole. The through hole 10h may have other shapes, for example, an ellipse.

[0031] The terminal block 20 is held through the through-hole 10h, allowing it to be exposed to the spaces on both sides of the mounting target 10. This enables the mating terminals located on both sides of the mounting target 10 to be electrically connected.

[0032] It is not essential that the terminal block 20 is held through the through hole 10h. For example, the terminal block may be a component supported by a plate member or a part integrally formed with the case.

[0033] The terminal block 20 comprises terminals 22, a housing 30, a nut holder 50, and a nut 70.

[0034] The terminal 22 is formed, for example, by press-forming a conductive plate material. The terminal 22 is formed from a metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

[0035] The terminal 22 comprises a connecting end 24, an opposite connecting end 26, and an intermediate portion 28. The connecting end 24 is the portion that connects to one mating terminal 18. The connecting end 24 is formed in a plate shape and has a connecting surface 24f and a nut-facing surface 24fn. The side of the connecting end 24 on which the mating terminal 18 is superimposed is the connecting surface 24f. The side of the connecting end 24 opposite to the connecting surface 24f is the nut-facing surface 24fn. The opposite connecting end 26 is the portion that connects to the other mating terminal. The intermediate portion 28 is located between the connecting end 24 and the opposite connecting end 26 and connects the connecting end 24 and the opposite connecting end 26.

[0036] Specifically, the connecting end 24 is rectangular in shape, and the opposite connecting end 26 is also rectangular in shape. A screw insertion hole 24h is formed in the connecting end 24. The screw insertion hole 24h penetrates the connecting end 24 in its thickness direction. One side of the screw insertion hole 24h opens toward the connecting surface 24f, and the other side opens toward the nut-facing surface 24fn. A screw insertion hole is also formed in the opposite connecting end 26.

[0037] The intermediate section 28 is configured with a long, narrow plate-like portion bent into an L-shape. In this embodiment, the intermediate section 28 is bent to bypass the opposite end connection 26, but this is not essential. The terminal 22 as a whole is L-shaped.

[0038] The angle at which terminal 22 bends is arbitrary. Terminal 22 may be bent in the width direction. Terminal 22 does not need to be bent; it may be straight, or more specifically, a straight plate.

[0039] The intermediate section 28 is partially formed to be narrow. With a water-sealing agent applied to the narrow section, the housing 30 is molded using the terminal 22 as an insert.

[0040] The terminal may be formed in a circular cross-section. The cross-section is a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the terminal. In other words, the terminal may be formed by processing a round bar-shaped member. For example, the end of the terminal may be formed into a flat plate-shaped connecting end by cutting or pressing.

[0041] The housing 30 is formed from an insulating material such as resin. The housing 30 covers at least a portion of the terminal 22. For example, the housing 30 is a portion molded using the terminal 22 as an insert portion. The housing 30 covers the terminal 22 with the connection surface 24f and the nut-facing surface 24fn exposed. The portion of the opposite connection end 26 corresponding to the connection surface 24f and the nut-facing surface 24fn is also exposed from the housing 30.

[0042] With the housing 30 inserted into the through hole 10h, the terminal block 20 is fixed to the mounting target 10. In this state, the mating terminal 18 located in the space extending on one main surface side of the mounting target 10 is connected to the connection end 24. Also, the opposite mating terminal located in the space extending on the other main surface side of the mounting target 10 is connected to the opposite connection end 26.

[0043] The nut 70 has a screw hole 70h. The nut 70 is positioned opposite the nut-facing surface 24fn. With the mating terminal 18 positioned on the connection surface 24f, the screw S passes through the screw insertion hole 18h of the mating terminal 18 and the screw insertion hole 24h of the connection end 24 and is screwed into the screw hole 70h of the nut 70. When the screw S is screwed into the nut 70, the mating terminal 18 and the connection end 24 are sandwiched between the screw head SH of the screw S and the nut 70, maintaining a connection state in which the mating terminal 18 and the connection end 24 are in surface contact with each other.

[0044] The nut holder 50 is a component that combines with the housing 30 next to the connecting end 24. When the nut holder 50 is combined with the housing 30, the nut holder 50 holds the nut 70 at a position next to the nut-facing surface 24fn of the connecting end 24.

[0045] Since the terminal block 20 is supported at a fixed position relative to the mounting object 10, the connecting end 24 of the terminal block 20 is also supported at a fixed position. Furthermore, the mating terminal 18 may also be supported at a fixed position by a component that supports the mating terminal 18. The positions of the connecting end 24 and the mating terminal 18 may be misaligned within a tolerance range. To accommodate such misalignment, the inner diameter of the screw insertion hole 24h of the connecting end 24 is set to be larger than the screw diameter of the screw S. In this case, the position of the screw S may fluctuate depending on the position of the mating terminal 18. For this reason, it is desirable that the nut 70 is also movably positioned relative to the connecting end 24 according to the position of the screw S. This terminal block 20 relates to a technology for movably supporting the nut 70.

[0046] Let's explain the structure of each part in more detail.

[0047] <Housing> The housing 30 comprises a body portion 32, a first receiving portion 40, and a second receiving portion 36.

[0048] The body portion 32 is the part that is inserted into the through hole 10h. The outer shape of the body portion 32 is similar to the inner circumference of the through hole 10h, and is smaller than the inner circumference to a degree suitable for interposing an annular seal. In this embodiment, the body portion 32 is cylindrical, more specifically, a short cylindrical portion.

[0049] An annular groove 33g is formed on the outer circumference of the body portion 32. An annular seal 33 made of rubber or the like is fitted into the annular groove 33g. The annular seal 33 may be a seal called an O-ring. With the body portion 32 inserted into the through hole 10h, the annular seal 33 is compressed between the bottom of the annular groove 33g and the inner surface of the through hole 10h, suppressing the passage of liquid between the body portion 32 and the through hole 10h. A recess 32g for weight reduction may be formed in the body portion 32.

[0050] A first receiving portion 40 is linearly connected to one end of the body portion 32. The first receiving portion 40 is formed in the shape of a cylinder that has been split lengthwise, for example, a cylinder that has been split lengthwise and is larger than a semi-cylinder. The first receiving portion 40 is located on the side of the connecting end portion 24 that is opposite to the nut-facing surface 24fn. In other words, the connecting end portion 24 is located on the side of the first receiving portion 40 that is opposite to the arc-shaped circumferential surface, and the connecting surface 24f is exposed on the side opposite to the first receiving portion 40.

[0051] A nut placement recess 40g is formed in the first receiving portion 40. The nut placement recess 40g is a portion that accommodates the nut 70 and the nut holder 50.

[0052] With the nut holder 50 holding the nut 70, the nut holder 50 is inserted into the nut placement recess 40g, thereby integrating the nut holder 50 with the housing 30. In this state, the nut 70 is positioned on the connection end 24 at a location facing the nut-facing surface 24fn. Also, the screw hole 70h of the nut 70 is positioned on the extension of the screw insertion hole 24h of the connection end 24. The screw S can be screwed into the screw hole 70h through the screw insertion hole 24h. Before screwing in the screw S, the nut holder 50 holds the nut 70 in a position suitable for screwing in the screw S at a location facing the nut-facing surface 24fn.

[0053] The second receiving portion 36 is connected to the body portion 32 on the opposite side from the first receiving portion 40. The second receiving portion 36 protrudes in a direction that intersects with the body portion 32, in this case, in a direction perpendicular to it. In this embodiment, the second receiving portion 36 is rectangular parallelepiped.

[0054] The L-shaped intermediate portion 28 of the terminal 22 is embedded in the portion of the second receiving portion 36 that is connected to the body portion 32, the connecting end 24 is held by the first receiving portion 40 through the body portion 32, and the opposite connecting end 26 is held by the tip of the second receiving portion 36.

[0055] A nut arrangement recess 36g, having the same shape as the nut arrangement recess 40g described above, is formed at the end of the second receiving portion 36 that protrudes in a direction intersecting the body portion 32.

[0056] The nut 70 and nut holder 50 are also housed in this nut arrangement recess 36g. This allows the mating terminal on the other side to be connected to the opposite connection end 26 in the same configuration as the connection end 24. Note that the connection structure of the mating terminal to the opposite connection end 26 does not have to be the same as the connection structure between the connection end 24 and the mating terminal 18. For example, the mating terminal may be screw-connected to the opposite connection end using a bottomed screw hole formed on its end face, or it may be connected by soldering or welding.

[0057] <Nuts and screws> The nut 70 is a component made of metal or the like, and has a nut body 72 and a partial projection 74.

[0058] The nut body 72 has a screw hole 70h into which the screw S is screwed. As in this embodiment, the outer surface of the nut body 72 may be circular. In this case, even if the nut body 72 attempts to rotate around the central axis of the screw hole 70h within the nut holder 50, the nut body 72 itself will not catch on the nut holder 50 or the housing 30.

[0059] The partial projection 74 protrudes partially from the outer circumference of the nut body 72. In this embodiment, there is one partial projection 74. The nut may have multiple partial projections protruding at different positions in the circumferential direction of the nut body. The shape of the partial projection 74 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, it is a rectangular parallelepiped projection. The partial projection 74 of the nut 70 protrudes outward from the nut holder 50 when the nut 70 is held in the nut holder 50.

[0060] At least one opening of the screw hole 70h may have a tapered edge 70ht that gradually widens outward. The tapered edge 70ht allows the screw S to be smoothly inserted into the screw hole 70h. The tapered edge 70ht may be formed on both openings of the screw hole 70h.

[0061] Furthermore, polygonal nuts such as square nuts and hexagonal nuts may be used as nuts.

[0062] The screw S that is screwed into the nut 70 has a screw shaft Sa and a screw head SH. The screw head SH is attached to the base end of the screw shaft Sa. The tip of the screw shaft Sa may be formed into a tapered tip Se that gradually narrows towards the tip. The tip of the tapered tip Se may be pointed or not. By making the tip of the screw S a tapered tip Se, the screw S can be easily inserted into the screw hole 70h.

[0063] <Nut placement recess and nut holder> The nut placement recess 40g and the nut holder 50 will be explained in more detail.

[0064] The nut holder 50 is fitted into the nut placement recess 40g and then joined to the housing 30. In this state, the nut 70 is held in a position adjacent to the connecting end 24, while allowing movement within a predetermined range of motion.

[0065] In other words, the first receiving portion 40 of the housing 30 has a nut placement recess 40g surrounded by a rear portion 41 and a pair of side wall portions 42. The nut placement recess 40g is located next to the connecting end 24, in this case, next to the nut-facing surface 24fn side. The nut placement recess 40g is surrounded on three sides by the rear portion 41 and the pair of side wall portions 42: the rear side and both sides.

[0066] More specifically, the first receiving portion 40 has a pair of side wall portions 42 that extend parallel to each other at a distance. The side wall portions 42 extend in the same direction as the axial direction of the body portion 32. The pair of side wall portions 42 are spaced apart in the width direction of the connecting end portion 24. When viewed along the axial direction of the screw insertion hole 24h of the connecting end portion 24, the pair of side wall portions 42 are located along both side edges of the connecting end portion 24.

[0067] The pair of side wall portions 42 are located on the nut-facing surface 24fn side of the connecting end 24. Therefore, when a nut 70 is placed between the pair of side wall portions 42, the nut 70 can face the nut-facing surface 24fn.

[0068] A pair of guide grooves 42g are formed on the inner portions of the pair of side wall portions 42. More specifically, the inner portions of the pair of side wall portions 42 have inward-facing surfaces 42f that are parallel to and opposite to each other. The inward-facing surfaces 42f extend along the direction of extension of the side wall portion 42. Guide grooves 42g are formed in the middle of the width direction of the inward-facing surfaces 42f. The guide grooves 42g are elongated grooves that extend from the tip end to the base end (i.e., the inner end) of the pair of side wall portions 42. The pair of guide grooves 42g open on opposite sides. The pair of guide grooves 42g also open on the tip side of the side wall portion 42.

[0069] A locking recess 42ga is formed in each of the pair of guide grooves 42g. The locking recess 42ga is formed in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 42g. The locking recess 42ga is a recessed portion at the bottom of the guide groove 42g. In this embodiment, the locking recess 42ga is a hole that opens from the internal space of the guide groove 42g to the outside of the side wall portion 42.

[0070] Furthermore, the tip portions of the pair of side wall portions 42 that are on the side of the connecting end 24 may be connected by a connecting portion 42c. The connecting portion 42c reinforces the pair of side wall portions 42 and prevents them from opening up.

[0071] The inner portion 41 is located between the base ends of the pair of side wall portions 42. The inner portion 41 is the part of the body portion 32 that is connected to the end on the side of the first receiving portion 40. Like the pair of side wall portions 42, the inner portion 41 is located on the side of the connecting end 24 that is facing the nut 24fn. Therefore, the nut holder 50 inserted between the pair of side wall portions 42 can be inserted until it contacts the inner portion 41. In other words, the inner portion 41 restricts the position of the nut holder 50 toward the inner side in the insertion direction.

[0072] A rotation-preventing recess 41g is formed in the inner portion 41. That is, the inner portion 41 has an inner surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side wall portion 42. The rotation-preventing recess 41g is recessed further than this inner surface. In this embodiment, the rotation-preventing recess 41g is located in the center of the pair of side wall portions 42. The rotation-preventing recess 41g may be offset from the center of the pair of side wall portions 42.

[0073] With the housing 30 joined to the nut holder 50, the portion projection 74 that protrudes beyond the nut holder 50 is received in the anti-rotation recess 41g. The anti-rotation recess 41g has a pair of opposing inner surfaces 41gf in the width direction of the connecting end 24. The nut 70 is prevented from rotating when the portion projection 74 abuts against one of the pair of inner surfaces 41gf.

[0074] The nut holder 50 is a molded part made of resin or the like. The nut holder 50 comprises a bottom portion 52 and position regulating portions 53 and 54.

[0075] The bottom portion 52 is the part that supports the nut 70 at a position spaced apart from the connecting end portion 24. In this embodiment, the bottom portion 52 is a rectangular plate-shaped portion located between a pair of side wall portions 42 and away from the connecting end portion 24. The bottom portion 52 has a support surface 52f that extends larger than the nut body 72. The support surface 52f is the surface facing the connecting end portion 24. The nut 70 is supported on the nut holder 50 by the nut body 72 being supported on the support surface 52f.

[0076] A bottomed recess 52g may be formed in the bottom portion 52, which is recessed along the extension of the screw hole 70h. Since the nut 70 is movable on the support surface 52f, the opening is larger than the screw hole 70h to take this movable range into consideration. For example, the bottomed recess 52g may open in a region that encompasses the entire extended range of the screw hole 70h that moves within the movable range.

[0077] Furthermore, in the combined state of the housing 30 and the nut holder 50, the distance between the support surface 52f and the nut opposing surface 24fn is greater than the thickness of the nut 70 in the axial direction of the screw hole 70h. Therefore, the nut 70 can easily move between the support surface 52f and the nut opposing surface 24fn.

[0078] The position-regulating portions 53 and 54 protrude from the bottom portion 52 toward the connecting end portion 24 and are portions that regulate the position of the nut 70 from at least one direction intersecting the central axis of the screw hole 70h.

[0079] In this embodiment, the position regulating portion 53 protrudes from the portion of the bottom 52 opposite to the inner portion 41. More specifically, the position regulating portion 53 protrudes from the edge portion of the bottom 52 opposite to the inner portion 41 along the entire width of the bottom 52. The inner surface of the position regulating portion 53 may be curved to form an arc.

[0080] This position-restricting portion 53 allows the nut holder 50 to be positioned so that it does not fall off the bottom portion 52 on the side opposite to the inner portion 41. The position-restricting portion 53 only needs to prevent the nut 70 from falling off on the side opposite to the inner portion 41, so it may only partially protrude from the edge of the bottom portion 52 on the side opposite to the inner portion 41.

[0081] The position regulating portion 54 protrudes from the portion of the bottom 52 that is on the inner side 41. More specifically, a pair of position regulating portions 54 protrude from both sides in the width direction of the connecting end 24, which is on the inner side 41 of the bottom 52. Here, the pair of position regulating portions 54 are rod-shaped portions that protrude from both corner portions of the bottom 52 on the inner side 41.

[0082] The distance between the pair of position-retaining portions 54 is smaller than the outer diameter of the nut body 72. Therefore, the nut body 72 is held in place so as not to slip out from between the pair of position-retaining portions 54. The distance between the pair of position-retaining portions 54 may be the same as the distance between the anti-rotation recesses 41g, within the manufacturing tolerance range.

[0083] Furthermore, the distance between the position restricting portion 53 and the position restricting portion 54 is smaller than the outer diameter of the nut body 72. Therefore, the nut body 72 is difficult to remove from between the position restricting portion 53 and the position restricting portion 54.

[0084] The nut holder 50 has a pair of slider portions 56 that are slidably inserted into each of a pair of guide grooves 42g. In this embodiment, each of the pair of slider portions 56 includes a first slider portion 57 and a second slider portion 58. The first slider portion 57 and the second slider portion 58 are formed along the extending direction of the guide groove 42g. When the nut holder 50 is inserted into the nut placement recess 40g, the first slider portion 57 and the second slider portion 58 are inserted into the guide groove 42g in this order. The nut holder 50 is joined to the housing 30 by the insertion of the first slider portion 57 and the second slider portion 58 into the guide groove 42g on both sides of the nut holder 50.

[0085] More specifically, the first slider portion 57 is an elongated portion that protrudes from the outer part of the position restricting portion 54 toward the position restricting portion 53. The base end of the first slider portion 57 is supported by the position restricting portion 54. The tip of the first slider portion 57 extends along the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 42g at a position above the support surface 52f. Therefore, the first slider portion 57 can be elastically deformed so that its tip is displaced in the width direction of the bottom portion 52, with its base end on the position restricting portion 54 side as the support point.

[0086] The distance W1 between the inward-facing surfaces of the pair of first slider portions 57 is set to be greater than the outer diameter R of the nut body 72 (see Figure 5). The distance W1 between the inward-facing surfaces of the pair of first slider portions 57 is set to be greater than the distance W2 between the inward-facing surfaces 42f of the pair of side wall portions 42.

[0087] A locking projection 57a ​​is formed at the tip of the first slider portion 57, protruding outward. The locking projection 57a ​​is shaped such that its protrusion gradually decreases in the direction of insertion of the nut holder 50 into the nut placement recess 40g. The side of the locking projection 57a ​​opposite to the inner portion 41 is formed on a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 42g.

[0088] The pair of second slider sections 58 protrude from both sides in the width direction of the position regulating section 53.

[0089] When the nut holder 50 is inserted into the nut placement recess 40g, the pair of first slider parts 57 are inserted into the pair of guide grooves 42g. Then, the locking projection 57a ​​contacts the bottom surface of the guide groove 42g, and the first slider parts 57 elastically deform inward. The distance W1 between the inward-facing surfaces of the pair of first slider parts 57 is set to be larger than the outer diameter R of the nut body 72. Therefore, the first slider parts 57 can elastically deform inward while suppressing interference with the nut 70.

[0090] When the locking projection 57a ​​reaches the locking recess 42ga, the first slider portion 57 returns to its original shape due to the elastic restoring force. As a result, the locking projection 57a ​​is displaced outward and locks into the locking recess 42ga.

[0091] As the first slider portion 57 moves toward the back of the guide groove 42g, the second slider portion 58 is also inserted into the guide groove 42g. With the first slider portion 57 and the second slider portion 58 inserted into the guide groove 42g, the nut holder 50 comes into contact with the back portion 41. As a result, the nut holder 50 is positioned within the nut placement recess 40g and remains coupled with the housing 30.

[0092] <Regarding the assembly process and the state after assembly> This section describes the process of attaching the nut 70 and nut holder 50 to the housing 30, and the state of the terminal block 20 after attachment.

[0093] Prepare the component in which the terminal 22 and housing 30 are integrated, the nut holder 50, and the nut 70.

[0094] The nut 70 is placed on the support surface 52f of the nut holder 50. The nut 70 is restricted by the position restricting parts 53 and 54 to prevent it from falling off the support surface 52f. The nut 70 may be in contact with the first slider part 57. In this case, the partial projection 74 passes between the pair of position restricting parts 54 and protrudes outward from the nut holder 50.

[0095] The nut holder 50 is inserted between the pair of side wall portions 42 through the opening opposite to the inner portion 41. That is, the pair of first slider portions 57 and the pair of second slider portions 58 of the nut holder 50 are sequentially inserted into the pair of guide grooves 42g. With the nut holder 50 fully fitted into the nut placement recess 40g, the locking projection 57a ​​locks into the locking recess 42ga to prevent it from coming out. As a result, the nut holder 50 is combined with the housing 30.

[0096] In this state, the nut 70 is positioned between the support surface 52f of the bottom 52 and the nut-facing surface 24fn of the connecting end 24. In addition, the position restricting parts 53 and 54 prevent the nut 70 from falling out from between the bottom 52 and the connecting end 24 while allowing the nut 70 to move.

[0097] In this embodiment, the positional restriction of the nut 70 within the movable range in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw hole 70h is performed by the housing 30 and the positional restricting parts 53 and 54.

[0098] In other words, with the nut holder 50 inserted into the nut placement recess 40g, the inward-facing surfaces 42f of the pair of side wall portions 42 are located inside the pair of first slider portions 57. Therefore, in the width direction of the nut holder 50, the position of the nut 70 is restricted within the range (S1) in which the nut body 72 can move within the inward-facing surfaces 42f of the pair of side wall portions 42. That is, the pair of side wall portions 42 restrict the position of the nut 70 on both sides in the width direction of the nut placement recess 40g.

[0099] Furthermore, a position restricting portion 53 is located on the side of the nut 70 opposite to the inner portion 41. Therefore, the nut 70 can move until it comes into contact with the position restricting portion 53 on the side opposite to the inner portion 41.

[0100] Furthermore, the partial projection 74 of the nut 70 extends from between the pair of position-regulating parts 54 and enters into the anti-rotation recess 41g. On the inner side 41, the inner surface 41gfa of the anti-rotation recess 41g faces the tip of the partial projection 74, and the pair of position-regulating parts 54 face the nut body 72. Therefore, on the inner side 41, the nut 70 can move until it contacts the inner surface 41gfa of the anti-rotation recess 41g or the pair of position-regulating parts 54.

[0101] In this embodiment, in most cases, the tip of the partial projection 74 contacts the inner surface 41gfa of the anti-rotation recess 41g. Therefore, the nut 70 is restricted in position within the range (S2) in which it can move between the inner surface of the position restricting portion 53 and the inner surface 41gfa of the anti-rotation recess 41g.

[0102] If the nut 70 is tilted significantly, the nut body 72 may come into contact with the pair of position-restricting parts 54 at the inner part 41 and be restricted in position. Also, if the protruding length of the anti-rotation recess 41g is shorter than the depth of the anti-rotation recess 41g, the nut body 72 may come into contact with the pair of position-restricting parts 54 at the inner part 41 and be restricted in position.

[0103] The movable range in which the housing 30 and the position restricting parts 53 and 54 restrict the position of the nut 70 is preferably a range that allows the screw S passing through the screw insertion hole 24h to be screwed into the screw hole 70h of the nut 70. For example, when viewed along the axial direction of the screw hole 70h, it is preferable to set it so that the screw hole 70h fits within the screw insertion hole 24h, or so that the tip of the screw S can be inserted into the overlapping area of ​​the screw hole 70h and the screw insertion hole 24h. In the latter case, the tip of the screw S is the tip surface of the screw S, and if the tip of the screw S is a tapered tip Se, it is the tip surface of the tapered tip Se.

[0104] <Regarding the screw fastening process between the connecting end and the mating terminal> An example of the process of screwing the mating terminal 18 to the connecting end 24 will now be described. As described above, the nut 70 is held by the nut holder 50 at a position on the nut-facing surface 24fn side of the connecting end 24. The nut 70 can be positioned between the connecting end 24 and the bottom 52 within the range restricted by the position restricting parts 53, 54 and the first receiving part 40. In other words, the nut holder 50 holds the nut 70 in a position suitable for screwing the screw S, facing the nut-facing surface 24fn, before screwing the screw S.

[0105] In this state, the mating terminal 18 is superimposed on the connecting surface 24f of the connecting end 24. The connecting end 24 and the mating terminal 18 may be misaligned within the tolerance range, and the screw S is screwed into the screw hole 70h of the nut 70 in a position that allows it to pass through both the screw insertion hole 24h of the connecting end 24 and the screw insertion hole 18h of the mating terminal 18.

[0106] In this case, assume that the screw hole 70h of the nut 70 is offset from the central axis of the screw S (see nut 70 shown by the dashed line in Figure 4). If the tip of the screw S is a tapered tip Se, the tapered surface of the tapered tip Se will contact the opening edge of the screw hole 70h. This allows the nut 70 to be displaced so that the central axis of the screw hole 70h coincides with the central axis of the screw S.

[0107] The screw S is rotated to screw it into the screw hole 70h. As a result, the nut 70 attempts to rotate with the screw S. When the screw S rotates, the partial projection 74 comes into contact with the housing 30 or the nut holder 50, as shown in Figure 6. This prevents the nut 70 from rotating.

[0108] For example, when the screw S attempts to rotate, the portion of the partial projection 74 that is inside the anti-rotation recess 41g contacts one of the inner surfaces 41gf of the anti-rotation recess 41g (see the nut 70 shown by the thick dashed line). This prevents the screw S from rotating.

[0109] The partial projection 74 may be prevented from rotating by the nut holder 50. For example, depending on the position of the central axis of the screw hole 70h, the partial projection 74 may come into contact with one of the position restricting parts 54, preventing the nut 70 from rotating. Alternatively, a portion corresponding to the anti-rotation recess may be integrally formed on the nut holder.

[0110] In the final tightening operation to securely fasten the screw S to the nut 70, the force that rotates the nut 70 may also be large. If the housing or nut holder receives the force that prevents the nut from rotating at a position close to the nut's central axis, a large force will act in a narrow area, which may cause the housing or nut holder to deform and the rotation prevention to be insufficient. In this embodiment, since the partial projection 74 protrudes outward from the nut body 72, it is easy to increase the distance between the contact point between the partial projection 74 and the housing 30 or nut holder 50 and the axis of rotation. Therefore, the force that tries to rotate the nut 70 can be effectively received, and the torque resistance of the nut 70 during screw tightening can be improved. When loosening the screw S, the partial projection 74 contacts the inner surface 41gf on the opposite side, preventing the nut 70 from rotating.

[0111] When the screw S is tightened, the tip of the screw S, for example, the tapered tip Se, may fit into the bottomed recess 52g.

[0112] <Effects, etc.> With the terminal block 20 configured as described above, the nut holder 50 is combined with the housing 30, and the nut 70 is held adjacent to the connection end 24 while allowing movement. The nut holder 50 can be easily designed to match the desired range of movement. This increases the degree of freedom in setting the range of motion of the nut 70. As a result, the connection end 24 and the mating terminal 18 can be connected while easily absorbing the tolerance between the connection end 24 and the mating terminal 18.

[0113] For example, in Patent Document 1, the nut must have a flange portion. The protrusion that extends into the flange portion housing groove is formed in a clever position that allows the flange portion to be inserted into the flange portion housing groove and prevents the flange portion inserted into the flange portion housing groove from falling out. As a result, the degree of freedom of position of the flange portion housing groove and the protrusion is limited, and it may not be possible to set the movable range of the nut to the desired range.

[0114] In this embodiment, the position restricting portions 53, 54, the pair of side wall portions 42, the inner portion 41, and the anti-rotation recess 41g can be freely designed to match the desired range of motion required for the nut 70, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in setting the range of motion of the nut 70. Furthermore, a nut 70 without a flange portion can be used.

[0115] Furthermore, since the nut holder 50 has a bottom portion 52 and position-regulating portions 53 and 54, the nut holder 50 can be attached to the housing 30 while supporting the nut 70 on the bottom portion 52 and preventing it from falling off the bottom portion 52 with the position-regulating portions 53 and 54. This makes it easy to assemble the terminal block 20.

[0116] Furthermore, since a bottomed recess 52g is formed in the bottom portion 52, debris and other waste generated when the screw S is screwed into the nut 70 can be received by the bottomed recess 52g and prevented from being discharged to the outside. Also, if the tip of the screw S protrudes from the nut 70, the tip of the screw S can be positioned within the bottomed recess 52g.

[0117] Furthermore, the pair of side wall portions 42 restrict the position of the nut 70 on both sides in the width direction of the nut placement recess 40g, and the nut holder 50 can restrict the position of the nut 70 on the opposite side from the inner portion 41.

[0118] Furthermore, the pair of side wall portions 42 have a pair of guide grooves 42g, and the nut holder 50 has a pair of slider portions 56 that are slidably inserted into each of the pair of guide grooves 42g. Therefore, by utilizing the configuration in which the pair of slider portions 56 are slidably inserted into each of the pair of guide grooves 42g, the nut holder 50 can be held in the nut placement recess 40g.

[0119] Furthermore, the nut 70 has a partial projection 74, and the housing 30 or nut holder 50 contacts the partial projection 74 to prevent the nut 70 from rotating. Therefore, the force preventing the nut 70 from rotating can be received at a position away from the central axis of the nut 70, ensuring that the nut 70 is more reliably prevented from rotating. In addition, deformation of the housing 30 or nut holder 50 is suppressed when tightening the screw S in order to prevent the nut 70 from rotating.

[0120] Furthermore, the partial projection 74 protrudes more than the nut holder 50, and the housing 30 has a rotation-preventing recess 41g that receives the partial projection 74, with the inner surface 41gf of the rotation-preventing recess 41gg contacting the partial projection 74 to prevent the nut 70 from rotating. Here, the housing 30 is the part that is fixed to the mounting object 10 and is the part into which the nut holder 50 is inserted. For this reason, the housing 30 can be made thicker and more rigid than the nut holder 50. With such a highly rigid housing 30, the nut 70 can be prevented from rotating more reliably.

[0121] Furthermore, because the screw S has a tapered tip Se, when screwing the screw S into the nut 70, the tapered tip Se allows adjustment so that the center of the nut 70 aligns with the center of the screw S.

[0122] Furthermore, the above-mentioned terminal block may be used not only for motors or inverters but also as a terminal block for other electrical components. For example, it may be used as a terminal block to support terminals in cases such as junction boxes that centrally incorporate relays or fuses inserted in the middle of an electrical circuit, or in equipment that distributes electrical circuits.

[0123] In the above embodiment, multiple terminal blocks may be connected in series. For example, multiple terminal blocks may be connected on the second body portion 42 side. Also, for example, they may be configured as 3-pole or 6-pole terminal blocks.

[0124] Furthermore, the configurations described in each of the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0125] 10. Applicable to installation 10h through hole 18. Mating terminal 18h screw insertion hole 20 Terminal block 22 terminals 24 Connection Ends 24f Connection surface 24fn nut opposing surface 24h Screw insertion hole 26 Opposite connection end 28 Middle section 30 Housing 32 Torso 32g indentation 33 Ring seal 33g Ring groove 36 Second Section 36g, 40g nut placement recess 40 First Section 41 Deep 41g Anti-rotation recess 41gf inner 41gfa Rear side 42 Side wall section 42c connection part 42f Inward-facing surface 42g guide groove 42ga locking recess 50 Nut Holder 52 Bottom 52f Support surface 52g bottom recess 53, 54 Position regulation part 56 Slider section 57. First slider section 57a Locking protrusion 58 Second Slider Section 70 nuts 70h screw hole 70ht tapered edge 72 Nut body 74 Partial protrusion S screw SH screw head Sa Screw shaft Se tapered tip

Claims

1. A terminal having a connecting end with a screw insertion hole formed therein, A housing that covers at least a portion of the terminal, A nut having a screw hole, A nut holder that connects with the housing next to the aforementioned connection end, Equipped with, A terminal block in which the nut holder is combined with the housing, and the nut is held in a position adjacent to the connecting end, allowing it to move.

2. A terminal block according to claim 1, The nut holder includes a bottom portion that supports the nut at a position spaced apart from the connecting end, and a position regulating portion that restricts the position of the nut from at least one direction intersecting the central axis of the screw hole, A terminal block in which, with the nut holder assembled to the housing, the nut is positioned between the bottom and the connecting end, and the position restricting portion prevents the nut from falling out from between the bottom and the connecting end while allowing the nut to move.

3. A terminal block according to claim 2, A terminal block having a bottomed recess formed at its base, extending in line with the screw hole.

4. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The housing has a recessed nut placement recess adjacent to the connecting end, surrounded on three sides by the back and a pair of side walls, The nut holder is fitted into the nut placement recess, thereby integrating with the housing. The pair of side walls restrict the position of the nut on both sides in the width direction of the nut placement recess, A terminal block in which the nut holder restricts the position of the nut on the opposite side from the inner part.

5. A terminal block according to claim 4, A pair of guide grooves are formed in the inner portion of each of the pair of side walls, extending from the tip to the back of the side wall. The nut holder has a pair of sliders that are slidably inserted into each of the pair of guide grooves, A locking recess is formed in each of the pair of guide grooves. A terminal block in which the pair of slider portions each have a locking projection that engages with the locking recess of the pair of guide grooves.

6. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The nut comprises a nut body and a partial projection that partially protrudes from the outer circumference of the nut body. A terminal block in which the housing or the nut holder contacts the partial projection to prevent the nut from rotating.

7. A terminal block according to claim 6, The aforementioned portion protrudes more than the nut holder, The housing, when combined with the nut holder, has a rotation-preventing recess that receives the portion protruding from the nut holder, A terminal block in which the inner surface of the anti-rotation recess contacts the partial projection to prevent the nut from rotating.

8. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A terminal block in which a screw having a tapered tip that gradually narrows towards the end is screwed into the screw hole of the nut through the screw insertion hole.

Images