Terminal block

Abstract

One embodiment provides a terminal block that can improve ease of assembly. [Solution] A terminal block according to one embodiment comprises a housing and a terminal assembly. The housing comprises a base portion that widens along a plane intersecting a first direction and has an insertion opening, a terminal housing portion having a cylindrical wall that communicates with the insertion opening and forms a housing hole in which the terminal assembly is housed, and a slit formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall. The terminal assembly comprises a first conductor, a second conductor, a coil spring provided between the first conductor and the second conductor, a connecting conductor that electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor, and a support member having a mounting portion mounted on the radially outer side of the coil spring, a pair of extensions extending radially outward from the mounting portion, and an engaging portion formed at the tip of the extensions and engaging with the inner circumferential edge of the slit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to terminal blocks.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a terminal block provided with connection terminals, electrical contact members, elastic members sandwiched between the connection terminals and the electrical contact members, and network wires connecting the connection terminals and the electrical contact members inside a case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it is desired to improve the assemblability of the terminal block.

[0005] One embodiment provides a terminal block capable of improving assemblability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A terminal block according to one embodiment comprises a housing formed from an insulating material and a terminal assembly held in the housing and electrically connectable to a destination terminal. The housing comprises a base portion that extends along a plane intersecting a first direction in which the terminal assembly and the destination terminal face each other, and has an insertion opening into which the destination terminal can be inserted on one side of the first direction, and a terminal housing portion that extends from the base portion to the other side of the first direction, communicates with the insertion opening and forms a housing hole into which the terminal assembly is housed, and has a slit formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall and extends in the first direction. The terminal assembly comprises a first conductor having a contact surface that contacts the destination terminal, a second conductor provided at a distance from the first conductor on the other side in the first direction, a coil spring provided between the first conductor and the second conductor and expandable and contractible in the first direction, a connecting conductor formed of a flexible conductive material that electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor, and a support member having a mounting portion mounted on the radially outer side of the coil spring, a pair of extensions extending radially outward from the mounting portion, and an engaging portion formed at the tip of the extensions that engages with the inner periphery of the slit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, ease of assembly can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the terminal block and the terminal block to which it is connected according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the terminal block of the embodiment with the housing cover removed. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the terminal block of the embodiment with the housing cover removed, seen from a different direction than in Figure 2. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the housing of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the terminal block of the embodiment with the housing cover removed, viewed from the other side of the first direction. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view of the terminal block of the embodiment, seen from a second direction. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the terminal assembly of the terminal block of the embodiment. [Figure 8] A perspective view of the terminal assembly of the terminal block of the embodiment, viewed from a different direction than in Figure 7. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first conductor is in contact with the terminal of the destination terminal when connecting the terminal block of the embodiment to the destination terminal block. [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view showing the terminal block of the embodiment connected to the destination terminal block. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted. Note that the components described below do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0010] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include electrical connections, not just mechanical ones. That is, “Connection” may include cases where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between, not just directly connected. “Accommodation” may include cases where only a portion of a part is accommodated (with the remaining portion of the part protruding), not just the entire part. “Parallel,” “orthogonal,” or “same” may include cases where they are “approximately parallel,” “approximately orthogonal,” or “approximately the same,” respectively.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are defined as follows. The first direction D1 is the direction in which the terminal assembly 3 of the terminal block 1 described later and the destination terminal 102 of the destination terminal block 100 face each other. One side D1a of the first direction D1 is the direction from the terminal block 1 toward the destination terminal block 100 side in the first direction D1. The other side D1b of the first direction D1 is the direction from the destination terminal block 100 toward the terminal block 1 side. The second direction D2 is a direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the first direction D1. The third direction D3 is a direction that intersects (e.g., is orthogonal to) the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0012] (Embodiment) <1. Configuration of Terminal Block> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block and a destination terminal block according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the housing cover is removed from the terminal block according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the state in which the housing cover is removed from the terminal block according to the embodiment, viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 2. The terminal block 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is provided in an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The terminal block may be used, for example, for connecting a battery unit mounted on a vehicle to a junction box or for connecting an inverter for driving a motor of the vehicle to the motor, but is not limited to these examples.

[0013] The terminal block 1 is electrically connected to the in-vehicle device. The terminal block 1 is attached to the housing 9 of the in-vehicle device or a housing 9 connected to the in-vehicle device via wiring.

[0014] The terminal block 1 includes, for example, a housing 2, a terminal assembly 3, a housing cover 4 (see FIG. 1), and a metal plate 5.

[0015] <2. Housing> FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the housing of the terminal block according to the embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the housing 2 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing 2 integrally includes a base portion 21 and a plurality of terminal accommodating portions 22.

[0016] (Base portion) The base portion 21 is formed in a plate shape that extends along a plane intersecting the first direction D1. As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 21 is formed in an oval shape, for example, with the second direction D2 as the major axis direction and the third direction D3 as the minor axis direction when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0017] A plurality of insertion openings 21a are formed in the base portion 21. In this embodiment, for example, three insertion openings 21a are formed. The plurality of insertion openings 21a are formed at intervals in the second direction D2. Here, the number and arrangement of the plurality of insertion openings 21a can be appropriately changed. Each insertion opening 21a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The connection terminal 102 (see FIG. 1) of the connection destination terminal block 100 can be inserted into each of the plurality of insertion openings 21a.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base portion 21 has a base portion 28 on the other side D1b of the first direction D1. The base portion 28 protrudes from the base portion 21 to the other side D1b of the first direction D1. The base portion 28 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The base portion 28 is inserted into the opening 5a of the metal plate 5 described later.

[0019] (Terminal insertion portion) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the multiple terminal housing sections 22 are provided on the other side D1b of the first direction D1 relative to the base section 21. In this embodiment, for example, three terminal housing sections 22 are formed. Each of the multiple terminal housing sections 22 is formed at intervals in the second direction D2, and is positioned to overlap each of the multiple insertion openings 21a (see Figure 2) when viewed from the first direction D1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the multiple terminal housing sections 22 has a cylindrical wall 23, a slit 24, and a connecting section 25.

[0020] Figure 5 shows the terminal block of the embodiment with the housing cover removed, viewed from the other side in the first direction. The cylindrical wall 23 extends from the base portion 28 formed on the base portion 21 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the cylindrical wall 23 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the first direction D1. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cylindrical wall 23 integrally comprises a first wall portion 23a, a pair of second wall portions 23b, and a pair of third wall portions 23c.

[0021] The first wall portion 23a is formed to extend along a plane intersecting the third direction D3. A pair of second wall portions 23b extend parallel to one side D3a of the third direction D3 from both ends of the first wall portion 23a in the second direction D2. A pair of third wall portions 23c extend inward from the pair of second wall portions 23b in the second direction D2. The pair of third wall portions 23c are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in the second direction D2. This cylindrical wall 23 forms a housing hole 23h on its inside, which communicates with the insertion opening 21a and accommodates the terminal assembly 3.

[0022] The slit 24 is formed between a pair of third wall portions 23c. With this configuration, the slit 24 is formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall 23. The slit 24 extends in the first direction D1. The slit 24 opens toward the other side D1b of the first direction D1 at the end of the cylindrical wall 23 toward the other side D1b of the first direction D1.

[0023] The connecting portion 25 connects the third wall portions 23c of the cylindrical wall 23 on both sides of the slit 24 at one side D1a in the first direction D1 with respect to the slit 24. The connecting portion 25 rises from the base portion 21 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. The rise dimension of the connecting portion 25 from the base portion 21 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1 is lower than the rise dimension of the cylindrical wall 23 from the base portion 21 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. In other words, the connecting portion 25 forms a low-profile wall with respect to the cylindrical wall 23.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the housing 2 has an engaging projection 27 into which the housing cover 4 (see Figure 1) is detachably engaged. In this embodiment, the engaging projection 27 is provided in two of the terminal housing sections 22 located on both sides of the second direction D2. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the engaging projection 27 is formed on the first wall portion 23a of the cylindrical wall 23 in the two terminal housing sections 22 located on both sides of the second direction D2.

[0025] <3. Terminal Assembly> Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block of the embodiment, viewed from a second direction. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the terminal assembly of the terminal block of the embodiment. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the terminal assembly of the terminal block of the embodiment, viewed from a different direction than in Figure 7. As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the terminal assembly 3 is housed in each of the multiple terminal housings 22. In other words, in this embodiment, there are three terminal assemblies 3, the same number as the terminal housings 22. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, each terminal assembly 3 comprises a first conductor 31, a second conductor 32, a coil spring 33, a connecting conductor 34, and a support member 35.

[0026] (First conductor) The first conductor 31 is formed by bending a plate made of a conductive material such as copper into an L-shape, and integrally comprises a first plate-like portion 31p and a first extension portion 31s.

[0027] The first plate-like portion 31p extends along a plane that intersects the first direction D1. The first plate-like portion 31p is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1. On the first plate-like portion 31p, the surface facing one side D1a of the first direction D1 is the contact surface 31f that contacts the connection terminal 102. On the first plate-like portion 31p, the surface 31g facing the other side D1b of the first direction D1 contacts one end of the coil spring 33.

[0028] The first extension portion 31s extends from the first plate-like portion 31p to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the first extension portion 31s extends from the end of the first plate-like portion 31p on one side D3a in the third direction D3 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. The first extension portion 31s is formed in a plate shape that spreads along a plane intersecting the third direction D3.

[0029] (Second conductor) The second conductor 32 is provided at a distance from the first conductor 31 on the other side D1b in the first direction D1. The second conductor 32 is formed by bending a plate made of a conductive material such as copper into an L-shape, and integrally has a second plate-like portion 32p and a second extension portion 32s.

[0030] The second plate-like portion 32p extends along a plane that intersects the first direction D1. The second plate-like portion 32p is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1. On the second plate-like portion 32p, the plane facing one side D1a of the first direction D1 contacts the other end of the coil spring 33.

[0031] The second extension portion 32s extends from the second plate-like portion 32p to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the second extension portion 32s extends from the end of the second plate-like portion 32p on one side D3a in the third direction D3 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1. The second extension portion 32s is formed in a plate shape that spreads along a plane intersecting the third direction D3.

[0032] (Coil spring) The coil spring 33 is made of, for example, spring steel and is provided between the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32. The coil spring 33 is expandable and contractible in the first direction D1 between the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32. The first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32 can move toward and away from each other along the first direction D1 as the coil spring 33 expands and contracts in the first direction D1.

[0033] (Connecting conductor) The connecting conductor 34 is formed from a flexible conductive material. In this embodiment, the connecting conductor 34 is, for example, a copper braided wire. The connecting conductor 34 is formed in a strip shape extending in a first direction D1. One end of the connecting conductor 34 is joined to the first extension 31s of the first conductor 31. The other end of the connecting conductor 34 is joined to the second extension 32s of the second conductor 32. The connecting conductor 34 electrically connects the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32. The connecting conductor 34 is deformable to flex between the portion connected to the first conductor 31 and the portion connected to the second conductor 32 when the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32 move toward and away from each other along the first direction D1.

[0034] (Support component) The support member 35 is made of an elastically deformable material, such as synthetic resin. The support member 35 is formed in a substantially U-shape overall when viewed from the first direction D1. The support member 35 integrally includes a mounting portion 35a, a pair of extension portions 35b, and a pair of engaging portions 35c.

[0035] The mounting portion 35a is mounted radially outward of the coil spring 33 between the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32. When viewed from the first direction D1, the mounting portion 35a extends in a semi-circular arc along the outer surface of the coil spring 33.

[0036] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pair of extensions 35b extend radially outward from the mounting portion 35a of the coil spring 33. In this embodiment, the pair of extensions 35b extend radially outward from both circumferential ends of the mounting portion 35a, which extends in a semi-circular arc shape. In this embodiment, the pair of extensions 35b extend parallel to each other so as to move away from the coil spring 33 toward one side D3a in the third direction D3. The pair of extensions 35b are offset from both circumferential ends of the mounting portion 35a to both sides in the second direction D2, passing through both sides in the second direction D2 relative to the first extension 31s and the connecting conductor 34, and further extending toward one side D3a in the third direction D3.

[0037] A pair of engaging portions 35c are formed at the respective ends of a pair of extension portions 35b. The pair of engaging portions 35c are curved or bent so as to protrude inward in the second direction D2 (towards the side where the pair of engaging portions 35c approach each other in the second direction D2).

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the pair of engaging portions 35c are inserted into the slit 24 between the pair of third wall portions 23c of the terminal housing portion 22. As shown in Figures 3, 5, 7, and 8, each of the pair of engaging portions 35c has an engaging recess 35d on the surface facing outward in the second direction D2 that engages with the pair of third wall portions 23c (see Figures 3 and 5) that form the inner periphery on both sides of the slit 24. The engagement recess 35d of the pair of engaging portions 35c engages with the pair of third wall portions 23c on both sides of the slit 24, thereby restricting the movement of the support member 35 (terminal assembly 3) in the third direction D3 within the terminal housing portion 22. Furthermore, the engagement recess 35d of the pair of engaging portions 35c engages with the pair of third wall portions 23c (inner periphery) on both sides of the slit 24, allowing the engaging portion 35c (support member 35) to move along the slit 24 and along the first direction D1.

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, such a support member 35 has a predetermined length in the first direction D1. With this configuration, when the coil spring 33 is compressed, the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32 come into contact with the support member 35, thereby restricting the amount of deformation of the coil spring 33.

[0040] <4. Housing Cover> As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the housing cover 4 is provided on the other side D1b of the first direction D1 relative to the base portion 21. As shown in Figure 6, the housing cover 4 covers the terminal housing portion 22 and the terminal assembly 3 from the other side D1b of the first direction D1. As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the housing cover 4 integrally has a top wall portion 41 and a peripheral wall portion 42.

[0041] The top wall portion 41 is formed in a plate shape that extends along a plane intersecting the first direction D1. For example, the top wall portion 41 is formed in a rectangular shape with the second direction D2 as the longer side and the third direction D3 as the shorter side when viewed from the first direction D1. The top wall portion 41 covers the multiple terminal housing portions 22 from the other side D1b of the first direction D1.

[0042] The top wall portion 41 has through holes 41s through which the second extensions 32s of the second conductors 32 of the terminal assemblies 3 housed in each terminal housing portion 22 are inserted. The second extensions 32s of each terminal assembly 3 protrude from the housing cover 4 to the other side D1b in the first direction D1 through the through holes 41s, allowing external wiring to be connected.

[0043] The peripheral wall portion 42 extends cylindrically from the outer periphery of the top wall portion 41 toward one side D1a in the first direction D1. The peripheral wall portion 42 integrally includes a pair of side wall portions 42a provided at intervals in the second direction D2 and a pair of side wall portions 42b provided at intervals in the third direction D3. The peripheral wall portion 42 covers the multiple terminal housing portions 22 from the outside.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, of the pair of side wall portions 42b, one side wall portion 42b facing the first wall portion 23a of the cylindrical wall 23 has a plurality of engaged portions 45 formed thereon, which can engage with each of the plurality of engaging projections 27. The plurality of engaged portions 45 consist of, for example, holes or recesses formed in the side wall portion 42b. The housing cover 4 is attached to the housing 2 by engaging each engaged portion 45 with each of the engaging projections 27.

[0045] <5. Metal Plate> As shown in Figure 6, the metal plate 5 is fitted into a groove 28m formed in the base portion 28. The metal plate 5 is formed in a plate shape that expands in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. The metal plate 5 has an opening 5a that fits into the groove 28m of the base portion 28 formed in the base portion 21. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the metal plate 5 protrudes from the base portion 21 on both sides in the second direction D2. The portion of the metal plate 5 that protrudes from the base portion 21 on both sides in the second direction D2 has insertion holes 5h for bolts (not shown) for fixing the terminal block 1 to the housing 9.

[0046] <6. How to assemble the terminal block> To assemble the terminal block 1 as described above, the terminal assembly 3 is assembled in advance, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Then, as shown in Figure 4, the metal plate 5 is set in the housing 2, and then, as shown in Figure 3, the pre-assembled terminal assembly 3 is inserted into the multiple terminal housing sections 22. At this time, by engaging the engaging portion 35c of the support member 35 of the terminal assembly 3 with the pair of third wall portions 23c (inner periphery) on both sides of the slit 24, the slit 24 acts as a guide, and the terminal assembly 3 can be easily accommodated in the housing holes 23h of the terminal housing section 22. After that, as shown in Figure 1, the terminal block 1 is assembled by attaching the housing cover 4 to the housing 2. The assembled terminal block 1 is attached to the housing 9 by bolts (not shown) inserted through the insertion holes 5h of the metal plate 5.

[0047] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first conductor is in contact with the destination terminal when connecting the terminal block of the embodiment to the destination terminal block. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the terminal block of the embodiment and the destination terminal block are connected. To connect the assembled terminal block 1 to the destination terminal block 100, the housing 9 to which the terminal block 1 is attached and the destination housing 110 to which the destination terminal block 100 is attached are placed facing each other, as shown in Figure 1.

[0048] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the destination terminal 102 held in the destination housing 101 of the destination terminal block 100 is inserted into the housing hole 23h from the insertion opening 21a of the terminal block 1 and brought into contact with the first plate-shaped portion 31p of the first conductor 31 of the terminal assembly 3.

[0049] Next, as shown in Figure 10, the terminal block 1 and the destination terminal block 100 are brought closer together, bringing the base portion 21 of the housing 2 and the destination housing 101 into contact (tight seal). As a result, the destination terminal 102 pushes the first conductor 31 toward the other side D1b of the first direction D1, causing the coil spring 33 to compress and deform. This action causes the destination terminal 102 and the first conductor 31 to be tightly sealed and electrically connected.

[0050] At this time, if the first conductor 31 is excessively pushed in the other side D1b of the first direction D1 by the connecting terminal 102, the first plate-shaped portion 31p will abut against the support member 35. Furthermore, the support member 35 abuts against the second plate-shaped portion 32p of the second conductor 32, thereby restricting the movement of the first conductor 31 in the other side D1b of the first direction D1. This action prevents the first conductor 31 from being excessively pushed into the housing cover 4.

[0051] Furthermore, the second conductor 32 of the terminal assembly 3 is restricted from moving in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 by the insertion of its second extension 32s into the through hole 41s of the housing cover 4. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the first conductor 31 is provided between the first extension 31s and the coil spring 33 with a clearance C in the third direction D3. With this configuration, the first conductor 31 is allowed to move in the third direction D3 due to contact with the destination terminal 102, etc., within the range of the clearance C.

[0052] Furthermore, external wiring and the like are connected to the second conductor 32 that protrudes from the housing cover 4. The second conductor 32 is able to move relative to the housing cover 4 in the first direction D1 by inserting the second extension portion 32s into the through hole 41s of the housing cover 4. When the second extension portion 32s is pushed in one side D1a in the first direction D1 to connect external wiring and the like, the second plate-shaped portion 32p abuts against the support member 35. Furthermore, the support member 35 abuts against the connection portion 25 of the terminal housing portion 22, thereby restricting the movement of the second conductor 32 in one side D1a in the first direction D1. This action prevents the second conductor 32 from being pushed excessively into the housing cover 4.

[0053] <7. Advantages> In this embodiment, the terminal assembly 3 has a coil spring 33 between a first conductor 31 and a second conductor 32 connected via a connecting conductor 34, and a support member 35 is attached to the coil spring 33. This configuration allows the terminal assembly 3 to be pre-assembled. The terminal assembly 3 is housed in a housing hole 23h formed by the cylindrical wall 23 of the housing 2. The support member 35 has an engaging portion 35c that engages with the inner periphery of a slit 24 formed in the cylindrical wall 23. With this configuration, when inserting the terminal assembly 3 into the housing hole 23h of the cylindrical wall 23, the engaging portion 35c of the support member 35 engages with the inner periphery of the slit 24, allowing the terminal assembly 3 to be easily assembled to the correct position relative to the housing 2. As a result, ease of assembly can be improved.

[0054] In this embodiment, the support member 35 is formed from an elastically deformable material and has a pair of extensions 35b that extend radially outward from an arc-shaped mounting portion 35a. With this configuration, the support member 35 can be easily mounted by inserting a coil spring 33 between the pair of extensions 35b and then fitting the coil spring 33 into the inside of the mounting portion 35a. As a result, the assembly can be further improved with a simple configuration. In addition, because the pair of extensions 35b are elastically deformable, the engaging portions 35c formed at the tips of the pair of extensions 35b can be easily engaged with the inner periphery of the slit 24, and the engaged state can be easily maintained.

[0055] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 35c is movable in a first direction D1 along the inner periphery of the slit 24. With this configuration, when inserting the terminal assembly 3 into the housing hole 23h of the cylindrical wall 23, the terminal assembly 3 can be moved in the first direction D1 while using the slit 24 as a guide. Therefore, the terminal assembly 3 can be easily assembled to the correct position relative to the housing 2. As a result, the ease of assembly can be further improved.

[0056] In this embodiment, the support member 35 has a predetermined length in the first direction D1 and restricts the amount of deformation of the coil spring 33 when the coil spring 33 is compressed. This configuration prevents the coil spring 33 from being excessively compressed.

[0057] In this embodiment, the terminal housing section 22 has a connection section 25 on one side D1a in the first direction D1 relative to the slit 24. This configuration connects the cylindrical walls 23 on both sides of the slit 24, thereby increasing the strength of the terminal housing section 22. Furthermore, when inserting the terminal assembly 3 into the housing hole 23h of the cylindrical wall 23, the pair of extensions 35b of the support member 35 abut against the connection section 25, thereby restricting the insertion dimension of the terminal assembly 3 into one side D1a in the first direction D1 relative to the housing hole 23h.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first conductor 31 and the second conductor 32 are connected by a connecting conductor 34 connected to the first extension portion 31s and the second extension portion 32s, with a coil spring 33 sandwiched between the first plate-shaped portion 31p and the second plate-shaped portion 32p. This configuration allows the terminal assembly 3 to be realized in a simple and compact form. Furthermore, the second extension portion 32s of the second conductor 32 of this terminal assembly 3 protrudes outward from the housing cover 4 through a through hole 41s formed in the housing cover 4. This configuration allows external wiring to be easily connected to the second extension portion 32s outside the housing cover 4.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first plate-like portion 31p and the second plate-like portion 32p are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1, and the cylindrical wall 23 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the first direction D1. This configuration prevents the terminal assembly 3 from rotating around the axis extending in the first direction D1 when it is housed in the housing hole 23h of the terminal housing portion 22.

[0060] <8. Variation> Next, we will describe some variations. Note that, apart from the configurations described below, the configurations in each variation are the same as those of the embodiments described above.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the cylindrical wall 23 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the first direction D1, but it is not limited to this. The cylindrical wall 23 may have other shapes when viewed from the first direction D1, such as a circle, ellipse, oblong, polygon, etc.

[0062] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Terminal block 2 Housing 3 Terminal Assembly 4 Housing Cover 21 Base section 21a Insertion opening 22 Terminal housing section 23. Cylindrical wall 23h containment hole 24 slits 25 Connection part 31 First Conductor 31f contact surface 31p First plate-like section 31s First extension 32 Second conductor 32p Second plate-like section 32s second extension 33 Coil Springs 34 Connecting conductors 35 Support Members 35a Mounting part 35b Extension 35c Engagement part 41s through hole 102 Connection Terminal

Claims

1. A housing formed from an insulating material, The housing includes a terminal assembly that is held in the housing and electrically connectable to a destination terminal, The aforementioned housing is A base portion that extends along a plane intersecting the first direction in which the terminal assembly and the destination terminal face each other, and has an insertion opening on one side of the first direction into which the destination terminal can be inserted, The terminal housing portion comprises a cylindrical wall extending from the base portion to the other side in the first direction and communicating with the insertion opening to form a housing hole in which the terminal assembly is housed, and a slit formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall and extending in the first direction, The aforementioned terminal assembly is A first conductor having a contact surface that contacts the aforementioned connection terminal, A second conductor is provided separately from the first conductor on the other side in the first direction, A coil spring provided between the first conductor and the second conductor, which is expandable and contractible in the first direction, A connecting conductor, formed from a flexible conductive material, electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor, The support member comprises a mounting portion attached to the radially outer side of the coil spring, a pair of extension portions extending radially outward from the mounting portion, and an engaging portion formed at the tip of the extension portions and engaging with the inner peripheral edge of the slit, terminal block.

2. The support member is formed from an elastically deformable material, The mounting portion extends in an arc shape along the outer surface of the coil spring, The pair of extensions extend radially outward from both ends of the arc-shaped mounting portion. The terminal block according to claim 1.

3. The engaging portion is movable in the first direction along the inner peripheral edge of the slit. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The support member has a predetermined length in the first direction, and when the coil spring is compressed and deformed, the first conductor and the second conductor come into contact with each other, thereby restricting the amount of deformation of the coil spring. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The terminal housing portion further includes a connecting portion on one side of the slit in the first direction, which connects the cylindrical walls on both sides of the slit. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The base portion is further provided with a housing cover on the other side in the first direction, which covers the terminal housing portion and the terminal assembly from the other side in the first direction. The first conductor is A first plate-shaped portion having the aforementioned contact surface, extending along the surface intersecting the first direction, and contacting one end of the coil spring, It has a first extension portion that extends from the first plate-like portion to the other side in the first direction, to which one end of the connecting conductor is connected, The second conductor extends along a plane intersecting the first direction and has a second plate-like portion that contacts the other end of the coil spring, It has a second extension portion that extends from the second plate-like portion to the other side in the first direction, to which the other end of the connecting conductor is connected, The second extension protrudes outward from the housing cover through a through hole formed in the housing cover. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first plate-like portion and the second plate-like portion are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction. The cylindrical wall is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed from the first direction, so as to surround the first plate-like portion and the second plate-like portion. The terminal block according to claim 6.

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