Terminal block

Abstract

To generate contact pressure while minimizing the increase in the number of parts. [Solution] The male tab-shaped first busbar connection portion 12 of the first busbar 10 has a plurality of ribs 13 that bulge out from one plane 12a and extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second busbar 110 is fitted into the U-shaped second busbar connection portion 112. The second busbar connection portion has a notched portion 113 that is cut along the U shape into which the first busbar connection portion is fitted, a U-shaped first contact portion 114 that contacts the other plane 12b of the first busbar connection portion when the assembly of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 is completed, and a U-shaped second contact portion 115 that contacts the plurality of ribs of the first busbar connection portion when the assembly is completed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a terminal block, one composed of a first terminal block and a second terminal block that are fitted and connected to each other is known. The first terminal block includes a first bus bar electrically connected to one electrical device and a first case that houses the first bus bar. The second terminal block includes a second bus bar electrically connected to the other electrical device and a second case that houses the second bus bar. For example, this type of terminal block is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. In this terminal block, the first terminal block includes an elastic member, and contact pressure is generated between the first bus bar and the second bus bar by utilizing the elastic force of the elastic member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the conventional terminal block increases the number of parts in order to generate contact pressure between the first bus bar and the second bus bar.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that generates contact pressure while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention comprises a first terminal block comprising a first busbar and a case for housing and holding the first busbar, and a second terminal block comprising a second busbar and a busbar holding member for holding the second busbar, which is mated and connected to the first terminal block until the assembly is complete, wherein the first busbar has a first terminal connection portion for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings of a first electrical device, and a first busbar connection portion in the shape of a male tab with a plane that is aligned with the mating connection direction of the first terminal block and the second terminal block, and the second busbar has a second terminal connection portion for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings of a second electrical device, and is formed in a U shape with the second terminal connection portion side as the fixed end, and the first end The device has a second busbar connection portion into which the first busbar connection portion is fitted from the tip in the mating connection direction between the sub-unit and the second terminal block, the first busbar connection portion has a plurality of ribs that bulge out from one of the planes and extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is fitted into the second busbar connection portion, the second busbar connection portion has a notch cut along the U shape into which the first busbar connection portion is fitted, a first U-shaped contact portion that contacts the other plane of the first busbar connection portion at the completed assembly position, and a second U-shaped contact portion that contacts the plurality of ribs of the first busbar connection portion at the completed assembly position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The terminal block according to the present invention is configured such that the first busbar connection portion is clamped between the first and second contact portions of the second busbar connection portion from the other flat side and the rib side by moving the first and second terminal blocks relative to each other to the assembly completion position. As a result, the terminal block applies a pressing force from the first contact portion of the second busbar connection portion to the other flat side of the first busbar connection portion, and also applies a pressing force from the second contact portion of the second busbar connection portion to the rib of the first busbar connection portion. Therefore, contact pressure can be generated between the first and second busbar connection portions in this terminal block. Thus, the terminal block according to the present invention does not require the provision of an elastic member as in the conventional method to generate contact pressure, and can generate contact pressure between the first and second busbars while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the terminal block after mating connection in the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the terminal block (excluding the case) after mating connection in the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the terminal block of the embodiment before mating connection. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the terminal block of the embodiment before mating connection, seen from a different angle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the terminal block (excluding the case) of the embodiment before mating connection. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the first terminal block of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the second terminal block of the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the gap between the first busbar connection and the second busbar connection. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment of the terminal block according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the terminal block according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0011] In Figures 1 to 5, the symbol TB indicates a terminal block of this embodiment. This terminal block TB comprises a first terminal block 1 and a second terminal block 101 that are electrically connected to each other by mating them together to the completed assembly position. In this terminal block TB, the first terminal block 1 is assembled to a first housing (not shown) on the first electrical equipment side and electrically connected to this first electrical equipment. The second terminal block 101 is assembled to a second housing (not shown) on the second electrical equipment side and electrically connected to this second electrical equipment. By assembling the first housing and the second housing, the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 are mated together, thereby electrically connecting the first electrical equipment and the second electrical equipment.

[0012] The first terminal block 1 is equipped with a busbar (hereinafter referred to as the "first busbar") 10 (Figures 1 to 6). The second terminal block 101 is equipped with a busbar (hereinafter referred to as the "second busbar") 110 (Figures 1 to 5 and 7). The first busbar 10 and the second busbar 110 are plate-shaped conductive members press-formed from a metal plate as the base material.

[0013] The first busbar 10 has a terminal connection portion (hereinafter referred to as the "first terminal connection portion") 11 for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings (not shown) of the first electrical equipment (Figures 1 to 6). This first terminal connection portion 11 is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane aligned with the mating connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101. For example, the first terminal connection portion 11 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape with its mating connection direction as the longitudinal direction. A circular through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "male screw insertion hole") 11a is formed in this first terminal connection portion 11, and the terminal fittings of the first electrical equipment are fastened together by a male screw member (not shown) and a female screw member (not shown) passed through this male screw insertion hole 11a.

[0014] The second bus bar 110 has a terminal connection portion (hereinafter referred to as "second terminal connection portion") 111 that physically and electrically connects the terminal fittings (not shown) of the second electrical device (Figs. 1 to 5 and 7). This second terminal connection portion 111 is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane along the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101. For example, the second terminal connection portion 111 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape with its fitting connection direction as the longitudinal direction. A circular through hole (hereinafter referred to as "male screw insertion hole") 111a is formed in this second terminal connection portion 111, and the terminal fittings of the second electrical device are clamped and fixed by a male screw member (not shown) passed through this male screw insertion hole 111a and a female screw member N (Fig. 7).

[0015] Furthermore, the first bus bar 10 has a bus bar connection portion in the shape of a male tab (hereinafter referred to as "first bus bar connection portion") 12 provided with planes 12a and 12b along the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 (Figs. 2 and 4 to 6). Also, the second bus bar 110 is formed in a U shape with the second terminal connection portion 111 side as the fixed end, and has a bus bar connection portion (hereinafter referred to as "second bus bar connection portion") 112 into which the first bus bar connection portion 12 is inserted from the tip 12c in the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 (Figs. 2 to 5, 7, and 8).

[0016] The first bus bar connection portion 12 and the second bus bar connection portion 112 are electrically connected by contacting each other when the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 are in the assembled complete position (Figs. 2 and 8).

[0017] The first bus bar 10 shown here has its main body formed in a rectangular flat plate shape (Figs. 2, 5, and 6). On one side of this first bus bar 10 in the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101, there is the first terminal connection portion 11, and on the other side, there is the first bus bar connection portion 12. Therefore, the first bus bar connection portion 12 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape having planes 12a and 12b along the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101.

[0018] The first bus bar connection portion 12 has a plurality of ribs 13 that bulge from one flat surface 12a and extend in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction into the second bus bar connection portion 112 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 8). In the first bus bar connection portion 12 shown here, three single-character ribs 13 are formed at equal intervals in the fitting connection direction between the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101.

[0019] The second bus bar connection portion 112 has a cut portion 113 cut along its U shape (Figs. 2 to 5, 7, and 8). In the second bus bar connection portion 112, the first bus bar connection portion 12 is inserted into this cut portion 113. In the second bus bar connection portion 112 shown here, the cut portion 113 is formed substantially at the center in the direction perpendicular to the flat surfaces 12a and 12b of the inserted first bus bar connection portion 12.

[0020] The first bus bar connection portion 12 is brought into contact with the second bus bar connection portion 112 by being sandwiched within the cut portion 113. In the second bus bar connection portion 112, two U-shaped contact portions are provided that are arranged to face each other with the cut portion 113 therebetween and sandwich the second bus bar connection portion 112 within this cut portion 113. The second bus bar connection portion 112 has a U-shaped first contact portion 114 that is one of the contact portions and contacts the other flat surface 12b of the first bus bar connection portion 12 at the assembly completion position of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101, and a U-shaped second contact portion 115 that is the other contact portion and contacts the plurality of ribs 13 of the first bus bar connection portion 12 at the assembly completion position thereof (Figs. 2 to 5, 7, and 8).

[0021] The second bus bar connection portion 112 has a first connecting portion 116 that connects the respective one ends of the U shapes in the first contact portion 114 and the second contact portion 115, and a second connecting portion 117 that connects the respective other ends of the U shapes in the first contact portion 114 and the second contact portion 115 (Fig. 7).

[0022] The second busbar connection section 112 shown here is formed as a U-shaped cantilever beam with the second terminal connection section 111 side as the fixed end (Figure 7). The first connecting section 116 is provided at the fixed end of the second busbar connection section 112 (i.e., the end on the second terminal connection section 111 side). The second connecting section 117 is provided at the free end of the second busbar connection section 112.

[0023] Furthermore, the second busbar connection portion 112 shown here extends from the second terminal connection portion 111 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the first busbar connection portion 12, and is formed in a U-shape by folding back from the apex of the extension in the direction of insertion of the first busbar connection portion 12 (Figures 3, 4, and 7). The first busbar connection portion 12 is inserted into the notch portion 113 from the apex of the U-shape in the second busbar connection portion 112.

[0024] It is desirable that the first busbar connection portion 12 be inserted into the notch portion 113 to a position where a gap G in the mating connection direction between the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 is created between its tip 12c and the second busbar connection portion 112 when the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 are in the assembled position (Figure 8). Here, the gap G is provided between the tip 12c of the first busbar connection portion 12 and the first connecting portion 116 of the second busbar connection portion 112, and between the tip 12c of the first busbar connection portion 12 and the second connecting portion 117 of the second busbar connection portion 112.

[0025] The first terminal block 1 includes a case 20 that houses and holds the first busbar 10 (Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6). The case 20 is provided with a housing chamber 21 for housing the first busbar 10. The case 20 includes a housing 30 in which the housing chamber 21 is formed (Figures 4 and 6). Furthermore, the case 20 includes a cover 40 that is assembled to the housing 30 (Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6). The housing 30 and the cover 40 are molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0026] The housing 30 has a cylindrical section 31 with a housing chamber 21 inside and a cylindrical section 31 whose cylindrical axis direction is aligned with the mating connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 (Figures 4 and 6). The first busbar 10 is housed in the housing chamber 21 of the cylindrical section 31. The cylindrical section 31 shown here is formed in a rectangular shape, with the first busbar connection section 12 placed in the housing chamber 21 and the first terminal connection section 11 protruding outward from an opening 31a at one end in the cylindrical axis direction (Figure 6).

[0027] In this cylindrical portion 31, when mating the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101, the second busbar connection portion 112 is inserted into the housing chamber 21 from the opening 31b at the other end in the direction of the cylindrical axis (Figure 4). Then, in this cylindrical portion 31, the first busbar connection portion 12 is fitted into the notch 113 of the second busbar connection portion 112 in the housing chamber 21 inside the cylinder.

[0028] The cover 40 is molded in a cap shape that encloses the cylindrical portion 31 from one end in the cylindrical axis direction. The cover 40 has a lid portion 41 that closes the opening 31a at one end of the cylindrical portion 31 (Figures 1, 3, and 6). The lid portion 41 is provided with a through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "terminal insertion hole") 41a through which the first terminal connection portion 11 is inserted (Figure 6).

[0029] In the housing 30 shown here, three cylindrical portions 31 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis. The housing 30 has an annular flange portion 32 provided to hold these three cylindrical portions 31 (Figures 4 and 6). This flange portion 32 is provided on the outer wall surface of the cylindrical portions 31.

[0030] The cover 40 shown here is molded in a cap shape that encloses the three cylindrical portions 31 together from one end in the cylindrical axis direction of each portion. Therefore, the cover portion 41 is provided with terminal insertion holes 41a for each opening 31a of the cylindrical portion 31. The housing 30 and the cover 40 are provided with a locking mechanism 22 that holds each other together by hooking the locking portion of the other onto the claw portion of the other (Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6).

[0031] Here, the first busbar 10 is provided with projections 14 that protrude from each side end face of the end of the first busbar connection portion 12 on the first terminal connection portion 11 side (Figure 6). At the end of the cylindrical portion 31 on the opening 31a side, a notch 31c is cut out from the opening 31a side for each projection 14 to accommodate the projections 14 (Figure 6). This pair of notches 31c is formed for each cylindrical portion 31. In the case 20, when the housing 30 and cover 40 are held together by the locking mechanism 22 after assembly is complete, the lid portion 41 of the cover 40 covers the notches 31c of each cylindrical portion 31 in the assembly direction of the housing 30 and cover 40. Therefore, when the housing 30 and cover 40 are assembled, the case 20 can lock each projection 14 with the lid portion 41 of the cover 40 and hold the first busbar 10 in the completed housing position.

[0032] The first terminal block 1 includes a metal plate member 50 that is positioned to overlap the plane of the flange portion 32 on the cover 40 side (Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6). This plate member 50 is an annular flat plate member whose outer peripheral edge protrudes beyond the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 32. The first terminal block 1 is attached to the first housing by screwing the outer peripheral edge of the plate member 50 to the first housing with a male screw member (not shown). In the case 20, for example, the plate member 50 is placed in a mold, and the housing 30 is insert-molded using liquid synthetic resin material poured into the mold.

[0033] The second terminal block 101 includes a busbar retaining member 120 for holding the second busbar 110 (Figures 1 to 5 and 7). This busbar retaining member 120 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0034] The busbar holding member 120 has a busbar holding portion 121 that holds the second terminal connection portion 111 with the male screw insertion hole 111a exposed and the second busbar connection portion 112 protruding (Figures 2, 3, and 7). This busbar holding portion 121 holds the three second busbars 110. For example, here the busbar holding portion 121 is formed by insert molding the busbar holding member 120 by pouring a liquid synthetic resin material into a mold in which the second busbars 110 are arranged.

[0035] The second terminal block 101 is provided with fitting members 131 that fit onto the busbar holding member 120 from the second terminal connection portion 111 side of the three second busbars 110 (Figure 7). The second terminal block 101 is provided with annular packing 132 for each second busbar 110 between the busbar holding member 120 and the fitting member 131 (Figure 7). The second terminal connection portion 111 of the second busbar 110 is inserted into the packing 132. The fitting member 131 holds each packing 132 so that it does not come off the second terminal connection portion 111.

[0036] The busbar retaining member 120 has an annular flange portion 122 (Figures 1 to 5 and 7). This flange portion 122 is provided on the outer wall surface of the busbar retaining member 121 on the side of the second busbar connection portion 112.

[0037] The second terminal block 101 includes a metal, flat plate member 140 that protrudes in an annular shape from the outer surface of the flange portion 122 (Figures 1 to 5 and 7). The second terminal block 101 is attached to the second housing by screwing the outer edge of the plate member 140 to the second housing with a male screw member (not shown). The busbar holding member 120 is insert-molded from a liquid synthetic resin material poured into the mold in which the plate member 140 is placed together with the second busbar 110.

[0038] This terminal block TB is assembled by connecting the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101, thereby inserting the second busbar connection portion 112 into the housing chamber 21 inside the cylindrical portion 31, and fitting the first busbar connection portion 12 inside the housing chamber 21 into the notch portion 113 of the second busbar connection portion 112. Then, by moving the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 relative to each other to the assembled position, the first busbar connection portion 12 is clamped by the first contact portion 114 and the second contact portion 115 of the second busbar connection portion 112 from the flat surface 12b side and the three ribs 13 side. As a result, this terminal block TB applies a pressing force from the first contact portion 114 of the second busbar connection portion 112 to the plane 12b of the first busbar connection portion 12, and also applies a pressing force from the second contact portion 115 of the second busbar connection portion 112 to the three ribs 13 of the first busbar connection portion 12. Therefore, in this terminal block TB, contact pressure can be generated between the first busbar connection portion 12 and the second busbar connection portion 112.

[0039] As described above, the terminal block TB of this embodiment does not require an elastic member like in the conventional method to generate contact pressure, so it is possible to generate contact pressure between the first busbar 10 and the second busbar 110 while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0040] Furthermore, the terminal block TB of this embodiment minimizes the increase in the number of parts, and since it reduces the assembly work time for the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101, it can lead to a reduction in cost.

[0041] Furthermore, the terminal block TB of this embodiment generates contact pressure between the first busbar 10 and the second busbar 110 in a direction perpendicular to the mating connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101. Therefore, this terminal block TB can absorb tolerance variations in the mating connection direction that occur between the first busbar 10 and the second busbar 110 simply by adjusting the gap G between the first busbar connection portion 12 and the second busbar connection portion 112 as described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 1st terminal block 10 First bus 11. First terminal connection section 12. Connection between the first busbars 12a One plane 12b The other plane 12c tip 13 Ribs 20 cases 101 2nd terminal block 110 Second bus 111 Second terminal connection section 112 Second busbar connection 113 Cut section 114 1st contact part 115 Second contact part 120 Busbar retaining member G Gap TB terminal block

Claims

1. A first terminal block comprising a first busbar and a case that houses and holds the first busbar, A second terminal block comprising a second busbar and a busbar holding member for holding the second busbar, which is mated and connected to the first terminal block until the assembly is complete, Equipped with, The first busbar has a first terminal connection portion for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings of the first electrical equipment, and a first busbar interconnection portion in the shape of a male tab, which is provided with a plane that is aligned with the mating connection direction of the first terminal block and the second terminal block. The second busbar has a second terminal connection portion for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings of the second electrical equipment, and a second busbar connection portion formed in a U-shape with the second terminal connection portion side as a fixed end, into which the first busbar connection portion is inserted from the tip in the mating connection direction of the first terminal block and the second terminal block. The first busbar connection portion has a plurality of ribs that bulge out from one of the planes and extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion into the second busbar connection portion. The terminal block is characterized in that the second busbar connection portion has a notch cut along the U-shape into which the first busbar connection portion is fitted, a U-shaped first contact portion that contacts the other plane of the first busbar connection portion at the completed assembly position, and a U-shaped second contact portion that contacts a plurality of ribs of the first busbar connection portion at the completed assembly position.

2. The second busbar connection portion extends from the second terminal connection portion in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, and is formed in the U-shape by folding back in the insertion direction from the apex of the extension. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the first busbar connection portion is fitted into the notch portion from the vertex of the U-shape in the second busbar connection portion.

3. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first busbar connection portion is inserted into the notch portion to the extent that a gap in the mating connection direction is created between the tip and the second busbar connection portion when the assembly is completed.

Images