Terminal Block

Abstract

To maintain contact quality and improve unstable connection work.SOLUTION: A terminal block (1) includes a housing portion (21), a lead-in portion (61) that guides an electric wire to the housing portion, and an elastic body (32) that is provided in the housing portion, holds the electric wire at a predetermined holding position, and is electrically connected to the electric wire, and a guide groove (7) is provided on the inner surface of the introduction portion at a corresponding position corresponding to the holding position in the opening (22) of the introduction portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block used for connecting wires in, for example, a CPU unit of a PLC or various I / O units. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, terminal blocks capable of appropriately connecting and holding the conductor part of an electric wire are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal block part in which the dimension of the inclined surface in the direction of inserting the electric wire into the electric wire insertion port is set to a dimension for removing the insulating coating of the electric wire. Patent Document 2 discloses a terminal block cover that is attached to the terminal block so that the distance from a cover side hole forming part that forms a cover side electric wire insertion hole to an electrode is longer than the length of a predetermined length of exposed core wire (conductor part) inserted into the electrode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-243478 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-127969 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned terminal block, when the electric wire is a rigid solid wire or a twisted wire with a rod terminal, a stable connection can be achieved by simply inserting the tip into the electric wire insertion port. However, when the electric wire is a weak solid wire (thin wire) or a twisted wire without a rod terminal, the connection position of the electric wire by the elastic body is unstable. In other words, the connection position of the electric wire by the elastic body may be biased in the front-back or left-right direction. Such a bias in the connection position of the electric wire may cause the electric wire to not be properly connected to the terminal block.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal block that can maintain contact quality and improve unstable wiring work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a terminal block according to one embodiment of the present invention is a terminal block comprising: a storage section that stores an electric wire to be inserted; an introduction section that guides the electric wire to the storage section; and an elastic body that is provided in the storage section and holds the inserted electric wire by pressing it against one wall surface of the storage section at a predetermined holding position and electrically connects to the electric wire, and a guide groove is provided on the inner surface of the introduction section at a corresponding position at the opening of the introduction section that corresponds to the holding position.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the terminal block includes a guide groove that guides the electric wire to a holding position. This allows the electric wire to be properly inserted into the terminal block even when the electric wire is a thin wire. In other words, the contact quality of the terminal block can be maintained. Furthermore, since the guide groove is provided at the opening of the introduction part, it is possible to show the user the position (corresponding position) to insert the electric wire. This makes it possible to stabilize the wiring operation of inserting the electric wire into the electric wire insertion port.

[0008] The guide groove may extend from the corresponding position toward the holding position. According to the above configuration, the electric wire can be inserted into the terminal block along the guide groove toward the holding position. That is, the electric wire can be securely held in the holding position.

[0009] In addition, a width of the guide groove may be gradually narrowed from the corresponding position toward the holding position. According to the above configuration, since the width of the guide groove is wide at the opening, the electric wire can be easily inserted into the guide groove.

[0010] In addition, the depth of the guide groove may be gradually decreased from the corresponding position toward the holding position. According to the above configuration, since the guide groove is formed deep at the opening, the electric wire can be easily inserted into the guide groove.

[0011] The guide groove may have a step portion at one end of the guide groove in the insertion direction of the electric wire, the step portion being a step connecting a bottom surface of the guide groove and an inner surface of the introduction portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the electric wire is inserted into the terminal block along the guide groove, the coating of the electric wire hits the step portion. This prevents the coating from entering the housing portion from the step portion, thereby preventing the coating from being held by the elastic body and causing non-conduction between the electric wire and the elastic body. Furthermore, if the length of the conductor portion of the electric wire is appropriately set, the tip of the conductor portion is not held by the elastic body. Therefore, compared to the case where the tip of the conductor portion is held by the elastic body, there is a lower risk that the conductor portion will come off from the hold by the elastic body. Therefore, by having the step portion in the guide groove, the electric wire can be inserted so that the conductor portion is held by the elastic body at an appropriate position in the length direction.

[0013] In addition, at one end of the guide groove in the insertion direction of the electric wire, a boundary portion between a bottom surface of the guide groove and an inner surface of the introduction portion may be smoothly continuous. With the above configuration, the electric wire can be inserted into the terminal block more smoothly than when the guide groove has a step portion.

[0014] The guide groove may have a depth that increases toward the center in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the electric wire. According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily guide the electric wire to the vicinity of the center of the holding position. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to maintain contact quality and improve unstable wiring work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a PLC system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a conventional terminal block when no electric wire is inserted into the terminal block; [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are front and cross-sectional views of a conventional terminal block with wires properly inserted into the terminal block. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a conventional terminal block in an example of a state in which an electric wire is improperly inserted into the terminal block; [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are front and cross-sectional views of a conventional terminal block in another example of a state in which an electric wire is improperly inserted into the terminal block; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a front view of a conventional terminal block in yet another example of a state in which an electric wire is improperly inserted into the terminal block. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the elastic body and the electric wire in still another example of a state in which the electric wire is improperly inserted into the terminal block. FIG. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a front view of the elastic body in yet another example of a state in which an electric wire is improperly inserted into the terminal block. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first guide groove of the terminal block. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal block according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention in every respect. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, in implementing the present invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

[0018] §1 Examples of application (Application example of terminal block 1) An example of a situation in which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a front view of a PLC system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the PLC system 1000 is configured to have a CPU unit 1001 and a plurality of various I / O units 1002 connected to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the CPU unit 1001 includes one terminal block 1, and each of the various I / O units 1002 includes two terminal blocks 1. Note that the I / O unit 1002 may include one terminal block 1. Each terminal block 1 includes an insulating housing 2 and a plurality of terminal connection parts 3 provided inside the housing 2. The PLC system 1000 performs a predetermined input / output control on a device connected to the terminal block 1.

[0019] The housing 2 has a plurality of housings 21 each housing a terminal connection portion 3, and a front wall 2a which is a wall surface on the side to which the terminals of the device are connected. The front wall 2a is provided with a plurality of wire insertion openings 22 and a plurality of jig insertion openings 23 which are openings of each housing portion 21. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of terminal connections 3 provided in the terminal block 1 is 16. That is, since the CPU unit 1001 has one terminal block 1, the number of terminal connections 3 provided in the CPU unit 1001 is 16, and since the various I / O units 1002 have two terminal blocks 1, the number of terminal connections 3 provided in the various I / O units 1002 is 32. The number of terminal connections 3 provided in the terminal block 1 is not limited to this. The terminal block 1 in each unit is provided with wire insertion openings 22 and jig insertion openings 23 in the number corresponding to the number of terminal connections 3.

[0020] The wire insertion port 22 is a substantially circular opening for inserting an electric wire. Electric wires of various diameters are connected to the wire insertion port 22 depending on the device connected to the terminal block 1. The wire insertion ports 22 have substantially the same inner diameter. The wire insertion ports 22 have inner diameters such that wires of various diameters (thin wires, thick wires, and some extra thick wires) can be connected. The wire insertion ports 22 may have different inner diameters depending on the device connected to the terminal block 1.

[0021] The jig insertion opening 23 is a substantially square opening for inserting a jig when inserting or removing an electric wire. For example, a flat-head screwdriver can be used as the jig.

[0022] Although FIG. 1 shows the form of the terminal block 1 provided in the PLC system 1000, the terminal block 1 of the present embodiment is not limited to this form.

[0023] (Example of the configuration of a conventional terminal block 101) An example of a conventional terminal block 101 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 8. For simplicity, Figures 2 to 8 only show a portion of the terminal block 101 corresponding to one housing portion 21.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a front view (2A in Fig. 2) and a cross-sectional view (2B in Fig. 2) of the terminal block 101 in a state where the electric wire 5 is not inserted into the terminal block 101. Fig. 3 is a front view (3A in Fig. 3) and a cross-sectional view (3B in Fig. 3) of the terminal block 101 in a state where the electric wire 5 is properly inserted into the terminal block 101. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the terminal block 101 includes a housing 2 and a terminal connection portion 3.

[0025] The housing 2 includes a front wall 2a, a side wall 2b, and a rear wall 2c. An accommodating section 21 is formed inside the housing 2. The front wall 2a is provided with an electric wire insertion opening 22 and a jig insertion opening 23 as openings of the housing 2.

[0026] In the following description, the side of the terminal block 101 where the front wall 2a is located is referred to as the front, the opposite side is referred to as the rear, the left side facing the front is referred to as the left side, and the right side is referred to as the right side. Also, the side of the front wall 2a where the jig insertion port 23 is located is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side is referred to as the lower side.

[0027] The electric wire 5 to be inserted into the electric wire insertion port 22 has a conductor portion 51 (strip portion) of a predetermined length that is exposed by partially stripping the coating of the electric wire 5, and a coating portion 52 (non-strip portion) that is covered with the coating.

[0028] The housing 2 has an electric wire passage section (introduction section) 61 and a jig passage section 62. The electric wire passage section 61 is a passage extending from the electric wire insertion port 22 to the housing section 21. The electric wire passage section 61 is a passage for guiding the electric wire 5 inserted from the electric wire insertion port 22 to the elastic body 32 described later. The electric wire passage section 61 and the housing section 21 may be continuously made of the same material. In order to appropriately guide the electric wire 5 to the elastic body 32, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of ​​the electric wire passage section 61 in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction decreases toward the rear. In addition, in order to be able to wire electric wires of various wire diameters (thin wires, thick wires, and some of extra thick wires), it is preferable that the opening on the rear side of the electric wire passage section 61 has an inner diameter equal to or larger than a predetermined electric wire diameter.

[0029] The jig passage 62 is a passage extending from the jig insertion opening 23 to the storage section 21. The jig passage 62 is a passage for guiding the jig inserted from the jig insertion opening 23 to the elastic body 32 described later. The jig passage 62 and the storage section 21 may be continuously made of the same material.

[0030] The terminal connection portion 3 includes a terminal electrode portion 31 and an elastic body 32. The terminal electrode portion 31 is composed of an upper horizontal plate portion 31a, a vertical plate portion 31b, and a lower horizontal plate portion 31c. The upper horizontal plate portion 31a abuts against the upper portion of the side wall 2b and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The vertical plate portion 31b abuts against the rear wall 2c and extends in the up-down direction. The lower horizontal plate portion 31c abuts against the lower portion of the side wall 2b and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The terminal electrode portion 31 is made of a conductor and is electrically connected to the electric wire 5 when the electric wire 5 is inserted.

[0031] The elastic body 32 is a U-shaped leaf spring made of a metal plate. The elastic body 32 is a member formed by bending, for example, a central portion in the length direction of a flat metal plate. One end of the elastic body 32 abuts against the upper horizontal plate portion 31a. When the electric wire 5 is not inserted, the other end of the elastic body 32 abuts against the lower horizontal plate portion 31c (see reference numeral 2B in FIG. 2). When the electric wire 5 is inserted, the other end of the elastic body 32 contacts the conductor portion 51 and presses against the conductor portion 51 (see reference numeral 3B in FIG. 3). This electrically connects the elastic body 32 to the electric wire 5. The elastic body 32 holds the electric wire 5 between the elastic body 32 and the lower horizontal plate portion 31c. The shape of the elastic body 32 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 2 to 8.

[0032] (How to insert and remove wire 5) An example of a method for inserting the electric wire 5 into the terminal block 101 will be described below. First, a jig is inserted from the jig insertion opening 23. The jig is inserted into the housing portion 21 through the jig passage portion 62. The jig comes into contact with the other end of the elastic body 32. By inserting the jig into the housing portion 21 until the tip of the jig comes into contact with the rear wall 2c, the other end of the elastic body 32 is pushed upward. As a result, a space for housing the electric wire 5 is formed in the lower portion of the housing portion 21.

[0033] Next, with the jig inserted into the jig insertion opening 23, the electric wire 5 is inserted from the electric wire insertion opening 22. The electric wire 5 is inserted into the housing portion 21 through the electric wire passage portion 61. The electric wire 5 is housed in a space formed in the lower part of the housing portion 21 by the jig.

[0034] Next, the jig is removed from the jig insertion opening 23. As a result, the other end of the elastic body 32 presses the electric wire 5. That is, the elastic body 32 holds the electric wire 5. The electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 101 by the above operations.

[0035] An example of a method for extracting the electric wire 5 from the terminal block 101 will be described below. First, a jig is inserted from the jig insertion opening 23. The jig is inserted into the housing portion 21 through the jig passage portion 62. The jig comes into contact with the other end of the elastic body 32. By inserting the jig into the housing portion 21 until the tip of the jig comes into contact with the rear wall 2c, the other end of the elastic body 32 is pushed upward. As a result, the electric wire 5 is released from the hold of the elastic body 32.

[0036] Next, with the jig inserted into the jig insertion opening 23, the electric wire 5 is removed from the electric wire insertion opening 22. Next, the jig is removed from the jig insertion opening 23. By the above operations, the electric wire 5 is removed from the terminal block 101.

[0037] When the electric wire 5 has a certain degree of rigidity, the electric wire 5 may be inserted into the housing portion 21 from the electric wire insertion opening 22 without using a jig. In other words, the rigidity of the electric wire 5 may push up the elastic body 32 to hold the electric wire 5.

[0038] (Electric wire 5 inserted state) Hereinafter, a state in which the electric wire 5 is properly inserted into the terminal block 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As indicated by reference numeral 3A in Fig. 3, the electric wire 5 is inserted near the center in the left-right direction of the electric wire insertion port 22. As a result, the electric wire 5 is held near the center in the left-right direction (predetermined holding position P) at the tip of the elastic body 32 on the holding position side. Also, as indicated by reference numeral 3B in Fig. 3, the electric wire 5 is inserted a predetermined insertion distance into the accommodating portion 21. As a result, a portion of the conductor portion 51 of the electric wire 5 is held by the elastic body 32, and the conductor portion 51 is electrically connected to the elastic body 32 and the terminal electrode portion 31.

[0039] The wire insertion port 22 is provided so that wires of various diameters can be connected. Therefore, the inner diameter of the wire insertion port 22 is set to be larger than the diameter of a thin wire. Therefore, in the conventional terminal block 101, when the wire 5 is a thin wire, the connection position of the wire 5 by the elastic body 32 becomes unstable, and the wire 5 may be improperly inserted into the terminal block 101.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a front view (reference numeral 4A in FIG. 4) and a cross-sectional view (reference numeral 4B in FIG. 4) of the terminal block 101 in an example of a state in which the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101. FIG. 5 is a front view (reference numeral 5A in FIG. 5) and a cross-sectional view (reference numeral 5B in FIG. 5) of the terminal block 101 in another example of a state in which the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101. FIG. 6 is a front view of the terminal block 101 in yet another example of a state in which the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the elastic body 32 and the electric wire 5 in yet another example of a state in which the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101. FIG. 8 is a perspective view (reference numeral 8A in FIG. 8) and a front view (reference numeral 8B in FIG. 8) of the elastic body 32 in yet another example of a state in which the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101. Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 4 to 8, specific examples of a state in which the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101 will be described.

[0041] 4 shows a state in which the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 101 a longer distance than in the state shown in FIG. 3, and the covering portion 52 is located at the holding position P. In this state, the elastic body 32 is in contact with the covering portion 52, but is not in contact with the conductor portion. Therefore, if the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 101 a too long distance, the elastic body 32 will not be electrically connected to the electric wire 5.

[0042] 5 shows a state in which the insertion distance of the electric wire 5 into the terminal block 101 is shorter than that shown in FIG. 3, and the tip of the conductor portion 51 is located at holding position P. In this state, the elastic body 32 holds the tip of the conductor portion 51. Therefore, if the insertion distance of the electric wire 5 into the terminal block 101 is too short, there is a high risk that the conductor portion 51 will come loose from the hold by the elastic body 32.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a state in which the electric wire 5 is inserted at the left end (reference numeral 6A in FIG. 6) or the right end (reference numeral 6B in FIG. 6) of the electric wire insertion port 22. Hereinafter, a case in which the electric wire 5 is inserted at the right end of the electric wire insertion port 22 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in this state, the electric wire 5 is held by the elastic body 32 between the right end of the elastic body 32 and the right end of the lower horizontal plate portion 31c. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection position of the electric wire 5 by the elastic body 32 is biased to the right, so that the elastic body 32 is bent to the left. Therefore, there is a possibility that the electric wire 5 will come off from the hold by the elastic body 32.

[0044] As described above, in the conventional terminal block 101, when the electric wire 5 is a thin wire, the electric wire 5 is improperly inserted into the terminal block 101, making the electric wire 5 prone to breakage. On the other hand, the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment has the first guide groove 7 (see Figs. 9 to 12) or the second guide groove 207 (see Fig. 13) that guides the electric wire 5 to the holding position P. This allows the electric wire 5 to be properly inserted into the terminal block 1 even when the electric wire 5 is a thin wire. In other words, it is possible to maintain the contact quality of the terminal block 1.

[0045] §2 Configuration Example [Embodiment 1] (Example of terminal block 1 configuration) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal block 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front view of the terminal block 1 in a state where the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 1 (reference numeral 10A in FIG. 10) and in a state where the electric wire 5 is not inserted (reference numeral 10B in FIG. 10). FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the terminal block 1 in a state where the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 1 (reference numeral 11A in FIG. 11) and in a state where the electric wire 5 is not inserted (reference numeral 11B in FIG. 11). FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first guide groove 7 of the terminal block 1 in a state where the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 1 (reference numeral 12A in FIG. 12) and in a state where the electric wire 5 is not inserted (reference numeral 12B in FIG. 12). The terminal block 1 according to the first embodiment differs from the terminal block 101 in that the terminal block 1 includes the first guide groove 7 that guides the electric wire 5 to the holding position P (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

[0046] As shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the first guide groove 7 is provided in the electric wire passage portion 61. Specifically, the first guide groove 7 is provided on the inner surface of the electric wire passage portion 61 at a corresponding position P1 corresponding to the holding position P in the electric wire insertion port 22. The first guide groove 7 extends in the front-rear direction from the corresponding position P1 toward the holding position P. In the example shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the first guide groove 7 extends from the corresponding position P1 to just before the boundary between the electric wire passage portion 61 and the accommodating portion 21. The extension length of the first guide groove 7 is not particularly limited, and the first guide groove 7 may extend to any position between the corresponding position P1 and the holding position P.

[0047] The first guide groove 7 has a bottom surface 7a, a side wall 7b, and a step portion 71. The step portion 71 is a step that connects the bottom surface 7a of the first guide groove 7 and the inner surface of the wire passage portion 61 at one end of the first guide groove 7 in the rear (i.e., in the insertion direction of the wire 5).

[0048] In the example shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the cross section of the first guide groove 7 taken along a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the electric wire 5 is substantially trapezoidal. The cross section is not limited to this shape, and may have any shape that allows the electric wire 5 to be easily inserted. Preferably, the depth of the first guide groove 7 increases toward the center in the cross section. In other words, the cross section may be, for example, semicircular or inverted triangular. This makes it possible to easily guide the electric wire 5 to the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction of the holding position P, regardless of the thickness of the electric wire 5.

[0049] As shown by reference numeral 10A in FIG. 10, reference numeral 11A in FIG. 11, and reference numeral 12A in FIG. 12, when the electric wire 5 is a thin wire, the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 1 along the first guide groove 7. As a result, the electric wire 5 is inserted toward the holding position P. That is, the electric wire 5 can be reliably held at the holding position P. Furthermore, since the first guide groove 7 is provided in the electric wire insertion port 22, it is possible to show the user the position (corresponding position P1) into which the electric wire 5 is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the wiring operation of inserting the electric wire 5 into the electric wire insertion port 22. Furthermore, when the electric wire 5 is inserted into the terminal block 1 along the first guide groove 7, the covering portion 52 hits the step portion 71. As a result, it is possible to prevent the covering portion 52 from entering the housing portion 21 side from the step portion 71, and therefore it is possible to prevent a state in which the covering portion 52 is held by the elastic body 32 and the electric wire 5 and the elastic body 32 are not electrically connected to each other. Furthermore, if the length of the conductor portion 51 is appropriately set, the tip of the conductor portion 51 will not be held by the elastic body 32. Therefore, there is a lower risk of the conductor portion 51 coming loose from the hold by the elastic body 32, compared to when the tip of the conductor portion 51 is held by the elastic body 32. Therefore, by having the step portion 71 in the first guide groove 7, the electric wire 5 can be inserted so that the conductor portion 51 is held by the elastic body 32 at an appropriate position in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] (Modification) The width of the first guide groove 7 may be gradually narrowed from the corresponding position P1 toward the holding position P. As a result, the width of the first guide groove 7 is wide at the electric wire insertion opening 22, so that the electric wire 5 can be easily inserted into the first guide groove 7.

[0051] The depth of the first guide groove 7 may be gradually shallower from the corresponding position P1 toward the holding position P. As a result, the first guide groove 7 is formed deep at the electric wire insertion port 22, so that the electric wire 5 can be easily inserted into the first guide groove 7.

[0052] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0053] (Example of the configuration of terminal block 201) 13 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal block 201 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. The terminal block 201 according to embodiment 2 differs from the terminal block 1 in that it includes a second guide groove 207 instead of the first guide groove 7.

[0054] The second guide groove 207 differs from the first guide groove 7 in that it does not have a step portion 71. That is, in the second guide groove 207, the boundary portion between a bottom surface 207a of the second guide groove 207 and the inner surface of the electric wire passage portion 61 is smoothly continuous at one end of the second guide groove 207 in the insertion direction of the electric wire 5.

[0055] Compared with the first guide groove 7, the second guide groove 207 does not have the step portion 71, and therefore the electric wire 5 can be smoothly inserted into the terminal block 201. In the first embodiment, the step portion 71 is provided to prevent the covering portion 52 from penetrating to the holding position P. In contrast, for example, if it is assumed that the length of the conductor portion 51 is longer than the distance from the holding position P to the end of the accommodating portion 21 in the insertion direction, the covering portion 52 will not penetrate to the holding position P. Therefore, in this case, by eliminating the step portion 71, it is possible to prioritize smoother insertion of the electric wire 5 into the accommodating portion 21.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1, 101, 201 terminal block 2. Chassis 5 Electric wire 7 First guide groove (guide groove) 21 Storage unit 22 Wire insertion port (opening) 32 Elastic Body 61 Electric wire passage (entrance) 71 Step 207 Second guide groove (guide groove) P holding position P1 Corresponding position

Claims

1. a receiving portion for receiving the electric wire to be inserted; an introduction portion that introduces the electric wire into the housing portion; a resilient body that is provided in the housing and presses the inserted electric wire against one wall surface of the housing at a predetermined holding position to hold the electric wire and electrically connects the electric wire, A guide groove is provided on an inner surface of the introduction portion, the guide groove extending from a corresponding position corresponding to the holding position at an end of the introduction portion on the opening side toward the holding position, A terminal block, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​a space defined by an inner surface of the introduction portion, in a cross section perpendicular to an insertion direction of the electric wire, decreases toward the accommodating portion.

2. 2. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein a width of the guide groove gradually narrows from the corresponding position toward the holding position.

3. 3. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the guide groove gradually decreases from the corresponding position toward the holding position.

4. 4. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein at one end of the guide groove in the insertion direction of the electric wire, the guide groove has a step portion that is a step connecting a bottom surface of the guide groove and an inner surface of the introduction portion.

5. 4. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein a boundary portion between a bottom surface of the guide groove and an inner surface of the insertion portion is smoothly continuous at one end of the guide groove in an insertion direction of the electric wire.

6. 6. The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the guide groove increases toward the center in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the electric wire.

Images