Terminal block

Abstract

To provide a terminal block that allows for easy assembly of water-stopping components. [Solution] The terminal block 1 comprises a housing 3 having a plurality of terminals 2 arranged in a row, a main body 31 that holds the plurality of terminals 2 through in the connection direction X, and a terminal support portion 32 that is connected to the main body 31 and extends in the connection direction X; a front holder 4 that is assembled to the terminal support portion 32 and supports the ends of the plurality of terminals 2; and a water-stopping member 5 that is assembled to the outer circumference of the terminal support portion 32 and performs water-stopping at the water-stopping surface of the terminal support portion 32. The front holder 4 is assembled on the terminal support portion 32 towards the tip side from the assembly position of the water-stopping member 5 and has a rib 42 that partitions the arrangement space 41 of the plurality of terminals 2. The rib 42 is formed by rising from the arrangement position side of the terminals 2 towards the water-stopping surface side of the terminal support portion 32 and is configured to have an inclined surface 421 that slopes toward the water-stopping surface from the arrangement position of the plurality of terminals 2.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as for a terminal block, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a terminal block having a partition wall for partitioning terminals by arranging a plurality of terminals side by side with respect to a fixing portion is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a terminal block, there is room for improvement in that it is not easy to assemble a water - stop member. For example, in the terminal block described above, an annular water - stop member may be assembled around the outer periphery of a housing (fixing portion) that holds a plurality of terminals to perform water - stop. However, since partitions and the like are formed on the housing and there are irregularities on the outer surface, it is not easy to assemble the water - stop member to the water - stop position.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block in which a water - stop member can be easily assembled.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In other words, the terminal block according to the present invention comprises a housing having a plurality of terminals arranged in a row, a main body that holds the plurality of terminals through in the connection direction, a terminal support portion provided in connection with the main body and extending in the connection direction, a front holder assembled to the terminal support portion and supporting the ends of the plurality of terminals, and a water-stopping member assembled to the outer circumference of the terminal support portion and performing water-stopping at the water-stopping surface of the terminal support portion, wherein the front holder is assembled to the terminal support portion on the tip side from the assembly position of the water-stopping member and has ribs that partition the arrangement space of the plurality of terminals, the ribs are formed by rising from the terminal arrangement position side toward the water-stopping surface side of the terminal support portion and are configured to have inclined surfaces that slope toward the water-stopping surface of the water-stopping member from the arrangement positions of the plurality of terminals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the terminal block of the present invention, the water-stopping member can be easily assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of a terminal block according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block at IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the assembly of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the terminal block according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments may be easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a terminal block. In the following description, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction is referred to as the "connection direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "height direction Z." Here, the connection direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are mutually orthogonal. Note that "orthogonal" here includes approximately orthogonal. The connection direction X corresponds to the connection direction between the terminal block and the object to be connected, and the connection direction of the terminals. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description refer to the directions when the parts are assembled together.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the terminal block 1 is a component that holds the terminals 2, and is attached to, for example, an object to be mounted (not shown) and used when mounted on a vehicle. The terminal block 1 comprises terminals 2, a housing 3, a front holder 4, and a water-sealing member 5. The terminals 2 are terminal fittings that make electrical connections and are constructed, for example, by forming a conductive metal into a plate shape. Multiple terminals 2 are provided and are arranged in a line in the width direction Y that intersects the connection direction X. The terminals 2 are arranged in a direction that extends in the connection direction X and intersects the height direction Z. For example, three terminals 2 are provided, but the number of terminals 2 installed is not limited to this. A through hole 21 is formed at one end of the terminal 2 in the connection direction X. The through hole 21 is a hole for inserting a fastening member and fixing the terminal 2 to the front holder 4. The terminals 2 are formed to extend in a straight line, but for example, they may bend from the connection direction X to the height direction Z, or they may bend back from the height direction Z to the connection direction X to form a crank shape.

[0012] The housing 3 is a component that holds the terminals 2 and is attached to the object to be mounted, and is made of an insulating material, for example, resin. The housing 3 has a main body portion 31 and a terminal support portion 32. The main body portion 31 is formed in a plate-like or block-like shape and is provided in a direction intersecting the connection direction X. The main body portion 31 is formed to be longer in the width direction Y than in the height direction Z, and holds a plurality of terminals 2 arranged in the width direction Y, passing through in the connection direction X. The main body portion 31 has a flange portion 311. The flange portion 311 is a part for fixing the housing 3 to the object to be mounted, and is provided at both ends of the main body portion 31 in the width direction Y. The flange portion 311 has a fixing hole 311A ​​that penetrates in the connection direction X.

[0013] The terminal support portion 32 is a part that supports or fixes the terminal 2, and for example, supports or fixes the terminal 2 via the front holder 4. The terminal support portion 32 is provided in connection with the main body portion 31 and extends from the main body portion 31 in the connection direction X. The terminal support portion 32 is formed integrally with the main body portion 31, and its cross-sectional shape in the direction intersecting the connection direction X is elliptical or oval. The terminal support portion 32 is formed to be longer in the width direction Y than in the height direction Z, for example, similar to the main body portion 31.

[0014] The terminal support portion 32 forms a retaining groove 321 and an assembly portion 322. The retaining groove 321 is a groove for holding the water-sealing member 5 and is formed as an annular groove along the outer circumference of the terminal support portion 32. The retaining groove 321 is formed on the base end side of the terminal support portion 32 compared to the assembly portion 322. The outer circumferential surface 32A of the terminal support portion 32 is a water-sealing surface. The retaining groove 321 is formed to a size and depth such that the water-sealing member 5 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 32A when the water-sealing member 5 is housed in it. This ensures that the water-sealing member 5 properly seals the gap between the housing 3 and the object to be attached. The assembly portion 322 is a recess for assembling the front holder 4 and is formed by recessing the tip side of the terminal support portion 32 relative to the retaining groove 321, following the outer shape of the front holder 4. Multiple terminals 2 protrude from the assembly portion 322, passing through the main body portion 31. The assembly portion 322 is formed, for example, by recessing more than half of the terminal support portion 32.

[0015] The front holder 4 is a member that is assembled to the terminal support portion 32 and supports the end of the terminal 2. The front holder 4 is made of an insulating material, for example, resin. The front holder 4 is assembled to the terminal support portion 32 on the tip side of the assembly position of the water-sealing member 5. That is, the front holder 4 is assembled to the assembly portion 322 of the terminal support portion 32. As described above, since the assembly portion 322 is formed on the tip side of the terminal support portion 32 compared to the retaining groove 321 that accommodates the water-sealing member 5, the front holder 4 assembled to the assembly portion 322 is installed on the tip side of the water-sealing member 5.

[0016] The front holder 4 forms an arrangement space 41 for arranging each of the multiple terminals 2 and supports the ends of the multiple terminals 2. The arrangement space 41 is a space for arranging the terminals 2 that extend through the main body 31, and is formed in the front holder 4, partitioned for each terminal 2. The main body 31 side of the arrangement space 41 in the connection direction X is partitioned by a side wall 411. An insertion hole 412 is formed in the side wall 411. The insertion hole 412 is a hole for inserting the terminal 2. The terminal 2 extending from the main body 31 enters the arrangement space 41 through the insertion hole 412.

[0017] Adjacent placement spaces 41 are separated by ribs 42. The ribs 42 are formed by extending in the connection direction X and rising in the height direction Z, and are provided between the placement spaces 41. The ribs 42 enhance the insulation of the terminal 2 by separating the placement spaces 41 of the terminal 2. The ribs 42 are formed by rising from the terminal 2 installation position side to the watertight surface side of the terminal support portion 32. In addition, the ribs 42 are provided not only between the placement spaces 41, 41, but also on the outside of the placement spaces 41 formed at the end positions in the width direction Y. By providing the ribs 42 in this way, the assembly of the watertight member 5 can be improved.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the rib 42 forms an inclined surface 421. That is, the rib 42 forms an inclined surface 421 on the end surface in the raised height direction Z. The inclined surface 421 is inclined toward the water stop surface (outer peripheral surface 32A) from the tip side to the base end side of the terminal support portion 32. That is, the inclined surface 421 is inclined such that the rib 42 becomes higher from the tip side to the base end side of the terminal support portion 32. For example, the end surface of the rib 42 extends straight from the tip side to the base end side and is formed to be inclined by the inclined surface 421. When the water stop member 5 is assembled from the tip side of the terminal support portion 32 to the holding groove 321, the terminal block 1 can easily assemble the water stop member 5 because the inclined surface 421 is formed on the rib 42.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a housing portion 413 is formed in the arrangement space 41 of the front holder 4. The housing portion 413 is a space portion for housing the nut 6 and is formed by depressing the floor portion of the arrangement space 41. The nut 6 forms a screw hole 61 having a thread on the inner peripheral surface. The housing portion 413 is formed at a position where the through hole 21 of the terminal 2 is located in the connection direction X and the width direction Y. The housing portion 413 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the nut 6. For example, it is formed in a rectangular cross section. Note that the outer shape of the nut 6 and the shape of the housing portion 413 are not limited to a rectangular cross section. By inserting a fastening member such as a bolt through the through hole 21 of the terminal 2 and screwing it with the nut 6 in a state where the nut 6 is housed in the housing portion 413, the terminal 2 is fastened and fixed to the front holder 4 by fastening the fastening member and the nut 6.

[0020] The water stop member 5 is a member for stopping water between the housing 3 and the object to be attached, and is assembled in the holding groove 321 of the housing 3. The water stop member 5 is an annular packing and is constituted by, for example, an elastic member. The water stop member 5 is assembled so as to surround the terminal support portion 32 from the tip side with respect to the terminal support portion 32 to which the front holder 4 is assembled.

[0021] Next, the assembly of the terminal block 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] The assembly of the terminal block 1 is carried out by sequentially attaching the terminals 2 and front holder 4 to the housing 3, and then attaching the watertight member 5 to the housing 3.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, first, the terminal 2 is assembled to the housing 3. The terminal 2 is assembled to the housing 3 so as to pass through the main body 31. At this time, the terminal 2 is assembled so that the end with the through hole 21 is located on the terminal support portion 32 side.

[0024] Next, the front holder 4 is assembled to the housing 3. First, the nuts 6 are placed in the housing portions 413 of the front holder 4, and with the nuts 6 in place, the front holder 4 is assembled to the assembly portion 322 of the terminal support portion 32. At this time, the terminal 2 extending from the main body portion 31 is inserted through the insertion hole 412, and the front holder 4 is assembled to the assembly portion 322. Note that the assembly to the housing 3 may be performed in the order of front holder 4, then terminal 2. Then, the fastening member is inserted into the through hole 21 of the terminal 2 and screwed into the threaded hole 61 of the nut 6, thereby fixing the terminal 2 to the front holder 4 and the housing 3.

[0025] Then, as shown in Figure 5, the water-sealing member 5 is assembled to the housing 3. The water-sealing member 5 is mounted so as to surround the tip of the terminal support portion 32, and is moved along the connection direction X toward the base end of the terminal support portion 32 while in contact with the terminal support portion 32 and the front holder 4, and is housed in the retaining groove 321. At this time, the water-sealing member 5 is moved while in contact with the end face of the rib 42, but because an inclined surface 421 is formed on the rib 42, it can be easily assembled into the retaining groove 321. That is, when the water-sealing member 5 is mounted on the tip of the terminal support portion 32 and moves toward the base end, it is expanded in diameter by the inclined surface 421 and is smoothly housed in the retaining groove 321. In this case, it is possible to assemble the water-sealing member 5 to the housing 3 without using a jig to house the water-sealing member 5 in the retaining groove 321. Once the water-sealing member 5 is assembled to the housing 3, the assembly of the terminal block 1 is completed.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal block 1 ensures insulation between adjacent terminals 2 by forming ribs 42 on the front holder 4 that partition the terminal arrangement space 41. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal block 1 allows for easy assembly of the water-sealing member 5 to the housing 3 by forming inclined surfaces 421 on the ribs 42.

[0027] It should be noted that the terminal block according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The terminal block 1 according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of each embodiment and modified example described above.

[0028] For example, in the terminal block 1 according to the above embodiment, a second water-sealing member 7 may be provided to seal water between the terminal 2 and the housing 3 or front holder 4. That is, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal block 1A is provided with a second water-sealing member 7 for each of the multiple terminals 2. The second water-sealing member 7 is an annular packing that surrounds the outer circumference of the terminal 2. The second water-sealing member 7 seals water between the housing 3 and the terminal 2, for example. In the terminal block 1A, ribs 42 are also formed to ensure insulation between adjacent terminals 2. Although the ribs 42 of the terminal block 1A do not have inclined surfaces 421, inclined surfaces 421 may be formed. With this terminal block 1A, similar to the terminal block 1 described above, insulation between adjacent terminals 2 can be ensured by forming ribs 42 on the front holder 4. Furthermore, in the terminal block 1A, forming inclined surfaces 421 on the ribs 42 makes it possible to easily assemble the water-sealing member 5 to the housing 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1:Terminal block 2: Terminals 3: Housing 4: Front holder 5: Water-stopping component 31: Main body 32:Terminal support part 41: Placement space 42: Rib 421: Inclined surface X: Connection direction

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple terminals arranged in a row, A housing having a main body that holds multiple terminals through in the connection direction, and a terminal support portion that is connected to the main body and extends in the connection direction, A front holder assembled to the terminal support portion and supporting the ends of a plurality of terminals, The terminal support portion is equipped with a water-stopping member that is assembled to the outer circumference of the terminal support portion and performs water-stopping at the water-stopping surface of the terminal support portion, The front holder is assembled at the terminal support portion toward the tip side of the assembly position of the water-stopping member and has ribs that partition the arrangement space of the multiple terminals. The rib is formed by rising from the terminal placement position side toward the water-sealing surface side of the terminal support portion, and has an inclined surface that slopes toward the water-sealing surface of the water-sealing member from the placement positions of the plurality of terminals. terminal block.

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