Terminal block

Abstract

To generate contact pressure while minimizing the increase in the number of parts. [Solution] The rectangular tube-shaped first busbar connection portion 12 in the first busbar 10 and the rectangular tube-shaped second busbar connection portion 112 in the second busbar 110 are arranged with their axial directions aligned with the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101. The tip ends of the four walls of the first busbar connection portion are formed in a fork shape, branching into a first shaft portion 14a and a second shaft portion 14b via a single slit 13. The tip ends of the four walls of the second busbar connection portion 112 are formed in a fork shape, branching into a first side shaft portion 114a, a central shaft portion 114b, and a second side shaft portion 114c via a first slit 113a and a second slit 113b. The central shaft portion is inserted and fitted into the slit and is held between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion at the completed assembly position of the first terminal block and the second terminal block.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a terminal block, one known type is composed of a first terminal block and a second terminal block that are fitted and connected to each other. 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 has an elastic member, and contact pressure is generated between the first bus bar and the second bus bar by utilizing the elastic force of this 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 housing the first busbar, and a second terminal block comprising a second busbar and a busbar holding member for holding the second busbar, which is fitted 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 rectangular tube-shaped first busbar connection portion provided with four walls, and the second busbar has a second terminal connection portion for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings of a second electrical device and a rectangular tube-shaped second busbar connection portion provided with four walls, and the first busbar connection portion and the second busbar connection portion are connected in the direction of the tube axis between the first terminal block and the second The terminals are arranged in accordance with the mating connection direction of the terminal block, and are electrically connected at the completed assembly position by being inserted and fitted together from the tip along the mating connection direction, the tip side of each of the four walls of the first busbar connection section is formed in a fork shape branching into a first shaft section and a second shaft section via a single slit, and the tip side of each of the four walls of the second busbar connection section is formed in a fork shape branching into a first side shaft section, a central shaft section and a second side shaft section via a first slit and a second slit, the central shaft section is inserted and fitted into the slit and is sandwiched between the first shaft section and the second shaft section at the completed assembly position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The terminal block according to the present invention is constructed by moving the first terminal block and the second terminal block relative to each other to the assembled position, thereby inserting and fitting the central shaft portion of the second busbar connection portion into the respective slits of the first busbar connection portion. As a result, this terminal block can generate contact pressure between the first shaft portion and the central shaft portion, and also between the second shaft portion and the central shaft portion. 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 busbar and the second busbar 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 of the terminal block (excluding the case) after mating connection in the embodiment, as seen from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the terminal block (excluding the case) after mating connection in the embodiment, viewed from the side. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the terminal block of the embodiment before mating connection. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal block of the embodiment before mating connection, seen from a different angle. [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 a perspective view showing the first and second busbars before mating. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first and second busbars from a different angle before mating and connecting. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating the contact point. [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 10.

[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 for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings (not shown) of the second electrical device (FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIG. 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 the 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 the 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 (hereinafter referred to as "first bus bar connection portion") 12 having a square tube shape provided with four wall portions (FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9). The second bus bar 110 also has a bus bar connection portion (hereinafter referred to as "second bus bar connection portion") 112 having a square tube shape provided with four wall portions (FIGS. 2 to 5 and FIGS. 7 to 9).

[0016] The first bus bar connection portion 12 and the second bus bar connection portion 112 are arranged with their tube axis directions aligned with the fitting connection direction of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101. Then, the first bus bar connection portion 12 and the second bus bar connection portion 112 are electrically connected at the assembly completion position of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 by being inserted and fitted into each other from the tips along their fitting connection direction.

[0017] Therefore, the tip sides of the four wall portions of the first bus bar connection portion 12 are formed in a fork shape branched into a first shaft portion 14a and a second shaft portion 14b through one slit 13 (FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9). The tip sides of the four wall portions of the second bus bar connection portion 112 are formed in a fork shape branched into a first side shaft portion 114a, a central shaft portion 114b, and a second side shaft portion 114c through a first slit 113a and a second slit 113b (FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9).

[0018] The first shaft portion 14a, the second shaft portion 14b, the first side shaft portion 114a, the central shaft portion 114b, and the second side shaft portion 114c are each formed in a shaft shape that extends in the direction of mating connection between the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101.

[0019] Furthermore, the second busbar connection section 112 shown here shares a single shaft portion between two adjacent wall sections around the cylindrical shaft: the first side shaft portion 114a of one wall section and the second side shaft portion 114c of the other wall section (Figures 8 and 9).

[0020] In the first busbar connection section 12 and the second busbar connection section 112, the central shaft section 114b is brought into contact with the first shaft section 14a and the second shaft section 14b, thereby physically and electrically connecting them. In the first busbar connection section 12 and the second busbar connection section 112, the central shaft section 114b is inserted and fitted into the slit 13 and is clamped between the first shaft section 14a and the second shaft section 14b at the completed assembly position of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 (Figures 2 and 3). As a result, contact pressure is generated between the first shaft section 14a and the central shaft section 114b, and between the second shaft section 14b and the central shaft section 114b in the first busbar connection section 12 and the second busbar connection section 112. In this way, the first busbar 10 and the second busbar 110 can generate contact pressure between the first busbar connection 12 and the second busbar connection 112 without using an elastic member as in the conventional method.

[0021] For example, the central shaft portion 114b is positioned so that its tip is clamped between the tips of the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b at the completed assembly position of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 (Figures 2 and 3). Furthermore, the tip of this central shaft portion 114b is provided with a contact portion 115 that is wider than the slit width of the slit 13 (i.e., the distance between the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b) in the direction in which the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b are positioned opposite each other (in other words, the direction in which the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b clamp the central shaft portion 114b) (Figures 2, 3, 8, and 9). The tips of the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b are brought into contact with this contact portion 115 at the completed assembly position of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101. On the other hand, the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b are made flexible enough to bend in the direction of their opposing arrangement. Therefore, when the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 are assembled, the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b are pressed by the contact portion 115 and bend within the elastic range, and the reaction force associated with this bending deformation acts on the contact portion 115 (Figures 2 and 3). Consequently, at the connection portion 12 between the first busbar and the connection portion 112 between the second busbar, a large contact pressure can be generated between the first shaft portion 14a and the central shaft portion 114b, and between the second shaft portion 14b and the central shaft portion 114b, by utilizing this bending deformation.

[0022] Here, the first shaft portion 14a is inserted into the first slit 113a at the completed assembly position of the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 (Figures 2 and 3). The second shaft portion 14b is inserted into the second slit 113b at the completed assembly position (Figures 2 and 3). The first slit 113a is formed with a slit width that creates a gap between the first shaft portion 14a and the first side shaft portion 114a at the completed assembly position in order to allow the first shaft portion 14a to bend and deform within the slit (Figures 2 and 3). The second slit 113b is formed with a slit width that creates a gap between the second shaft portion 14b and the second side shaft portion 114c at the completed assembly position in order to allow the second shaft portion 14b to bend and deform within the slit (Figures 2 and 3).

[0023] Furthermore, the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b insert and fit the contact portion 115 of the central shaft portion 114b into the slit 13 while changing their deflected deformation shape. To facilitate the smooth deflection deformation of the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b, the contact portion 115 is provided with a first arc-shaped surface 115a that contacts the tip of the first shaft portion 14a during deflection deformation while changing the contact point, and a second arc-shaped surface 115b that contacts the tip of the second shaft portion 14b during deflection deformation while changing the contact point (Figure 10). This contact portion 115 is formed, for example, in the shape of a disc or a sphere. Here, a disc-shaped contact portion 115 is provided at the tip of the central shaft portion 114b.

[0024] The first terminal block 1 includes a case 20 that houses and holds the first busbar 10 (Figures 1 and 4 to 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 5 and 6). Furthermore, the case 20 includes a cover 40 that is assembled to the housing 30 (Figures 1 and 4 to 6). The housing 30 and the cover 40 are molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0025] 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 5 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).

[0026] In this cylindrical section 31, when mating and connecting the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101, the second busbar connection section 112 is inserted into the housing chamber 21 from the opening 31b at the other end in the direction of the cylindrical axis (Figure 5). Then, in this cylindrical section 31, the first busbar connection section 12 and the second busbar connection section 112 are mated and connected in the housing chamber 21 inside the cylinder.

[0027] 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, 4, 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).

[0028] For example, the first busbar 10 is secured by its lid portion 41 so that it does not come out of the opening 31a at one end of the cylindrical portion 31. For example, the cover 40 is insert-molded by pouring liquid synthetic resin material into the mold in which the first busbar 10 is placed. As a result, the first busbar 10 becomes integrated with the cover 40 and is held by the lid portion 41 of the cover 40, and is held in the first case 20 by assembling the cover 40 to the housing 30.

[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 (Figure 4). 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 axial direction of each cylindrical 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 in place by hooking the locking portion of the other onto the claw portion of the other (Figures 1 and 4 to 6).

[0031] 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 and 4 to 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] This terminal block TB is assembled by combining 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 and the second busbar connection portion 112 within the housing chamber 21. This terminal block TB is then moved relative to the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 to the assembled position, thereby inserting and fitting the central shaft portion 114b of the second busbar connection portion 112 into the respective slits 13 of the first busbar connection portion 12. As a result, this terminal block TB can generate contact pressure between the first shaft portion 14a and the central shaft portion 114b, and also between the second shaft portion 14b and the central shaft portion 114b, as described above.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the first busbar connection portion 12 and the second busbar connection portion 112 are fitted together, the first shaft portion 14a and the central shaft portion 114b slide between them, and the second shaft portion 14b and the central shaft portion 114b slide between them. Therefore, the terminal block TB of this embodiment can remove the oxide film between each of these parts. Consequently, the terminal block TB of this embodiment can achieve good conductivity between the first busbar 10 and the second busbar 110.

[0040] On the other hand, in the terminal block TB of this embodiment, when the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 101 are assembled, two central shaft portions 114b are held between the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b, and two other central shaft portions 114b are held between the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b in a direction perpendicular to the direction of holding at these two locations. Therefore, in the terminal block TB of this embodiment, relative movement in the direction perpendicular to the cylindrical axis is suppressed at the first busbar connection portion 12 and the second busbar connection portion 112 after mating connection, and sliding is suppressed between the first shaft portion 14a and the central shaft portion 114b and between the second shaft portion 14b and the central shaft portion 114b. Consequently, in the terminal block TB of this embodiment, the central shaft portion 114b can continue to be held between the first shaft portion 14a and the second shaft portion 14b after mating connection, and good conductivity performance can be maintained between them.

[0041] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 1st terminal block 10 First bus 11. First terminal connection section 12. Connection between the first busbars 13 slits 14a First shaft section 14b Second shaft section 20 cases 101 2nd terminal block 110 Second bus 111 Second terminal connection section 112 Second busbar connection 113a First Slit 113b Second Slit 114a First side shaft part 114b Central shaft section 114c Second side shaft part 115 Contact point 115a 1st arcuate surface 115b 2nd arcuate surface 120 Busbar retaining member 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 inter-connection portion which is rectangular in shape and has four walls. The second busbar has a second terminal connection portion for physically and electrically connecting the terminal fittings of the second electrical equipment, and a rectangular tube-shaped second busbar connection portion provided with four walls. The first busbar connection portion and the second busbar connection portion are positioned with their cylindrical axial directions aligned with the mating connection direction of the first terminal block and the second terminal block, and are electrically connected at the completed assembly position by inserting and fitting them together from the tip along the mating connection direction. The tip end of each of the four wall portions of the first busbar connection portion is formed in a fork shape, branching into a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion via a single slit. The tip end of each of the four wall portions of the second busbar connection portion is formed in a fork shape, branching into a first side shaft portion, a central shaft portion, and a second side shaft portion via a first slit and a second slit. The terminal block is characterized in that the central shaft portion is inserted and fitted into the slit and is sandwiched between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion at the completed assembly position.

2. The terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion are provided with flexibility that allows them to bend and deform in the direction of their opposing arrangement.

3. The first shaft portion is inserted into the first slit at the completed assembly position. The second shaft portion is inserted into the second slit at the completed assembly position. The first slit is formed to a width that creates a gap between the first shaft portion and the first side shaft portion at the completed assembly position. The terminal block according to claim 2, characterized in that the second slit is formed to a slit width that creates a gap between the second shaft portion and the second side shaft portion at the completed assembly position.

4. The tip of the central shaft portion is provided with a contact portion that brings the respective tips of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion into contact at the completed assembly position. The terminal block according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact portion is provided with a first arc-shaped surface that contacts the tip of the first shaft portion which is undergoing bending deformation while changing the contact point, and a second arc-shaped surface that contacts the tip of the second shaft portion which is undergoing bending deformation while changing the contact point.

5. The terminal block according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that the second busbar connection portion shares a single shaft portion between two adjacent wall portions around the cylindrical shaft, with the first side shaft portion of one wall portion and the second side shaft portion of the other wall portion being shared by one shaft portion.

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