Connected devices

Abstract

In this connecting device, when a resilient member (4) is in an unconnected state, a restoring force vector (81) of the resilient member (4) substantially overlaps a reference line (82), which is a straight line connecting a first part (513) and a second part (514), and the restoring force and a reaction force are balanced. As a result, the position of an operating portion (5) is maintained, and the state of the resilient member (4) is maintained in the unconnected state. Further, in a state in which an electric wire has been inserted between a terminal portion (3) and the resilient member (4) in the unconnected state, the position of the operating portion (5) is changed, and the restoring force vector (81) is displaced from the reference line (82), as a result of which the resilient member (4) is restored from the unconnected state by means of the restoring force, and transitions to a connected state in which the electric wire is sandwiched between the resilient member (4) and the terminal portion (3). The structure of the connection device can thus be simplified.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection device to which electric wires are connected. [Reference to Related Application] This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application JP2020-122599, filed on July 17, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application JP2020-169408, filed on October 6, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, so-called push-in type connection devices have been used as connection devices for connecting electric wires in control panels, etc. In such connection devices, an electric wire is inserted into an insertion hole in a case, and a leaf spring provided inside the case presses the electric wire against a conductive terminal to establish an electrical connection.

[0003] For example, the wire connection device of Japanese Patent Publication No. 4202125 (Document 1) is provided with a rod-shaped operation button that can move forward and backward relative to a housing. In this wire connection device, when the rod-shaped operation button is pressed toward the housing, a leaf spring inside the housing elastically deforms and moves away from the conductive fitting. The tip of the rod-shaped operation button engages with the leaf spring to maintain the shape of the leaf spring. This maintains an open state in which the leaf spring is separated from the conductive fitting. Then, after inserting a wire into the wire connection device in the open state, when the rod-shaped operation button is pulled out of the housing, the leaf spring elastically returns to its original position and clamps the wire between it and the conductive fitting.

[0004] When connecting a wire with this wire connection device, it is necessary to pull out the rod-shaped operation button from the housing while keeping the wire inserted in the wire connection device in an open state. This makes the wire connection operation complicated, making it difficult to reduce the time required for the connection work. In addition, because the operator must hold the wire with one hand and operate the rod-shaped operation button with the other, it is difficult to perform the connection work with one hand.

[0005] On the other hand, in the connection device of Japanese Patent No. 6675004 (Document 2), the leaf spring in contact with the operation unit is bent to a non-connected state by pushing the operation unit into the case, and in this state, the operation unit is engaged with a stepped portion of the case, thereby maintaining the state of the leaf spring in the non-connected state. In addition, in this connection device, when an electric wire inserted into the case pushes and rotates the release unit, the release unit pushes the operation unit out of the stepped portion of the case. This releases the operation unit from the case, and the leaf spring returns to its original position, clamping the electric wire between the case and the terminal portion. This facilitates the work of connecting the electric wire.

[0006] However, the connection device of Document 2 needs to be provided with a step portion for locking the operation unit and a state release portion for releasing the lock of the operation unit, which may complicate the structure of the connection device. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention is directed to a connection device to which electric wires are connected, and aims to simplify the structure of the connection device.

[0008] A connection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a case, conductive terminal portions fixed to the case, an elastic member attached to the case and configured to clamp an electric wire by pressing it against the terminal portions with a restoring force, and an operation unit configured to apply a force to the elastic member to deflect it from an initial state to an unconnected state and maintain the unconnected state. The operation unit includes a first portion on which the restoring force of the elastic member acts and a second portion on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. The vector of the restoring force is defined as a restoring force vector, and a straight line connecting the first portion and the second portion is defined as a reference line. When the elastic member is in the unconnected state, the restoring force vector substantially overlaps with the reference line, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit and maintaining the state of the elastic member in the unconnected state. When the electric wire is inserted between the terminal portion and the elastic member in the unconnected state, the position of the operating portion is changed and the restoring force vector deviates from the reference line, and the elastic member is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, transitioning to a connected state in which the electric wire is clamped between the terminal portion and the elastic member.

[0009] In this connection device, the structure of the connection device can be simplified.

[0010] Preferably, even when the elastic member is further deflected in the unconnected state, the position of the operation portion is maintained.

[0011] Preferably, the operating unit includes a cam portion that rotates around a rotation axis. The cam portion contacts the elastic member at the first portion and contacts the rotation axis at the bearing of the second portion. When the elastic member transitions to the unwired state, the cam portion rotates, increasing the distance between the first portion and the rotation axis and bending the elastic member. The restoring force vector substantially overlaps with the reference line, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the operating unit and maintaining the state of the elastic member in the unwired state.

[0012] Preferably, when connecting the electric wire, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire to the operating unit, thereby changing the position of the operating unit and causing the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line.

[0013] Preferably, when the electric wire is connected, the inserted electric wire comes into direct contact with the operating portion to change the position of the operating portion.

[0014] Preferably, the operating portion includes a wire receiving portion that directly contacts the tip of the electric wire, the wire receiving portion including a receiving surface that extends from the tip to the periphery of the electric wire.

[0015] Preferably, when connecting the electric wire, the inserted electric wire directly contacts the elastic member and deforms the elastic member, thereby applying force to the operating unit via the elastic member and changing the position of the operating unit.

[0016] Preferably, the elastic member includes a wire receiving portion that directly contacts the tip of the electric wire and a release portion that extends from the wire receiving portion toward the operating portion. The wire receiving portion includes a receiving surface that extends from the tip of the electric wire to the periphery. When the receiving surface is pressed by the electric wire toward the rear in the wire insertion direction, the elastic member is deformed, and the release portion comes into contact with the operating portion and applies a force that rotates the cam portion.

[0017] Preferably, the case includes a guide surface extending linearly. The elastic member extends along the guide surface. The operation unit includes an advancing / retreating part located between the elastic member and the guide surface and moving linearly in a predetermined advancing / retreating direction while contacting the elastic member and the guide surface at the first and second locations, respectively. The distance between the elastic member and the guide surface decreases from one side to the other side in the advancing / retreating direction. When the elastic member transitions to the unconnected state, the advancing / retreating part moves from one side to the other side in the advancing / retreating direction, causing the elastic member to bend. At a position where the advancing / retreating part contacts the first location, the elastic member becomes approximately parallel to the guide surface, and the restoring force vector approximately overlaps the reference line. As a result, the position of the operation unit in the advancing / retreating direction is maintained, and the state of the elastic member is maintained in the unconnected state. When connecting the electric wire, the operating part moves from the other side to the one side in the forward / backward direction, causing the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line, and the restoring force causes the elastic member to transition from the unconnected state to the connected state.

[0018] Preferably, when connecting the electric wire, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire to the operating unit, causing the operating unit to move from the other side to the one side in the forward / backward direction, and the restoring force vector deviates from the reference line.

[0019] Preferably, the operation unit includes a substantially disk-shaped or cylindrical rotating unit having a notch in one portion of its circumference and a protrusion in another portion of its circumference. The case is provided with a concave operation unit mounting portion whose inner surface is a part of a substantially cylindrical surface. The rotation unit is mounted on the operation unit mounting portion and contacts the elastic member at the first portion, which is a part of the notch, and contacts the inner surface of the operation unit mounting portion at the second portion, which is the protrusion. When the elastic member transitions to the unwired state, the rotation unit rotates in a first rotation direction, causing the elastic member to bend, and the restoring force vector substantially overlaps with the reference line, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the rotation unit and maintaining the state of the elastic member in the unwired state. When connecting the electric wire, the rotating part is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction of the electric wire, causing the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line, and the restoring force causes the rotating part to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and the elastic member transitions from the non-connected state to the connected state.

[0020] Preferably, when connecting the electric wire, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire to the operating unit, causing the rotating unit to move toward the back in the insertion direction of the electric wire, and causing the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line.

[0021] Preferably, the elastic member includes a wire contact portion that directly contacts the wire in the wired state, and a movement path of the wire contact portion does not overlap with a movement area of ​​the operation portion at least when the elastic member transitions from the non-wired state to the wired state.

[0022] Preferably, a part of the operating portion protrudes from the case.

[0023] Preferably, when the elastic member is in the unwired state, a portion of the operating portion protrudes from the case, and when the elastic member is in the wired state, the portion of the operating portion is located within the case.

[0024] Preferably, a visible indicator is provided to indicate the state of the elastic member.

[0025] Preferably, the elastic member is a leaf spring.

[0026] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the movement distance of the operation unit and the rotation moment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the movement distance of the operation unit and the rotation moment. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an operation unit of a connection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an operation unit of a connection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operating portion and an elastic member. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an operation unit of a connection device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 33] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 34] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 35] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 36] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an operation unit of a connection device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 38] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 39] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 40] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. [Figure 41] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connection device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connection device 1. FIG. 2 also illustrates the configuration behind the cross-section. For convenience of illustration, the parallel diagonal lines in the cross-section of some components (e.g., elastic member 4) have been omitted in FIG. 2. This is also true for other cross-sectional views. The connection device 1 is a push-in type connection device to which electric wires are connected. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a state in which no electric wires are inserted into the connection device 1. The connection device 1 is used, for example, as a terminal block for a control panel or the like.

[0029] In the following description, the up-down direction and left-right direction in FIG. 2 will also be simply referred to as the "up-down direction" and "left-right direction." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2 will also be referred to as the "thickness direction." FIG. 2 shows a cross section of connection device 1 at the front side of the center in the thickness direction. The up-down direction, left-right direction, and thickness direction do not necessarily have to coincide with the installation direction when connection device 1 is used. Furthermore, the up-down direction does not necessarily have to coincide with the direction of gravity. This is generally the same in other embodiments.

[0030] The connection device 1 includes a case 2, a terminal section 3, an elastic member 4, and an operation section 5. The case 2 accommodates the terminal section 3, the elastic member 4, and the operation section 5. The case 2 is made of, for example, resin. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 2 is provided with two insertion holes 21 into which electric wires can be inserted. Furthermore, two terminal sections 3, two elastic members 4, and two operation sections 5 are arranged inside the case 2. In other words, the connection device 1 includes two sets of terminal sections 3, elastic members 4, and operation sections 5. Note that the connection device 1 may include one set or three or more sets of terminal sections 3, elastic members 4, and operation sections 5.

[0031] Each set of terminal portion 3, elastic member 4, and operating portion 5 is arranged corresponding to an insertion hole 21. The two sets of terminal portion 3, elastic member 4, and operating portion 5 have the same shape, size, etc., and are arranged facing left and right in opposite directions. Looking at the insertion hole 21 on the right side in Figure 2, the terminal portion 3 is located above the insertion hole 21 and extends in the left-right direction. The elastic member 4 is located below the terminal portion 3. The operating portion 5 is located above the elastic member 4. The operating portion 5 is arranged further back in Figure 2 than the terminal portion 3. The elastic member 4 partially overlaps with the terminal portion 3 and the operating portion 5 in the up-down direction.

[0032] The terminal portions 3 are conductive, generally plate-shaped members fixed to the case 2. The terminal portions 3 are made of, for example, metal. The terminal portion 3 on the right side and the terminal portion 3 on the left side in FIG. 2 are electrically connected via a conductive terminal connection portion 32 extending in the left-right direction below the two terminal portions 3. The two terminal portions 3 and the terminal connection portion 32 are, for example, a continuous member.

[0033] The elastic member 4 is an elastically deformable member attached to the case 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the elastic member 4 is a substantially strip-shaped leaf spring. The elastic member 4 is made of, for example, metal. The elastic member 4 may be formed of a conductive material or an insulating material such as resin. The elastic member 4 has a shape bent at the center in the longitudinal direction into, for example, a substantially L-shape, a substantially V-shape, or a substantially U-shape. In the following description, the bent portion of the elastic member 4 will be referred to as a "bent portion 41." Furthermore, of the two portions of the elastic member 4 extending laterally from the bent portion 41, the lower portion will be referred to as a "fixed portion 42," and the portion located above the fixed portion 42 will be referred to as a "movable portion 43."

[0034] The case 2 is provided with a substantially cylindrical elastic member support portion 22 that extends in the thickness direction, and a groove is formed by partially surrounding the periphery of the elastic member support portion 22 in the circumferential direction with other parts of the case 2. The bent portion 41 of the elastic member 4 is inserted into the groove, and the elastic member 4 is thereby attached to the case 2.

[0035] 2, the fixed portion 42 of the elastic member 4 extends leftward from the bent portion 41 below the elastic member support portion 22, generally parallel to the left in the left-right direction. The terminal connection portion 32, which extends in the left-right direction, is in contact with the lower side of the fixed portion 42, restricting downward movement of the fixed portion 42. Therefore, the fixed portion 42 is substantially fixed to the case 2.

[0036] The movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 extends diagonally upward and left from the bent portion 41 above the elastic member support portion 22. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the movable portion 43 first extends diagonally downward and left as it moves away from the upper end of the elastic member support portion 22 to the left, then bends upward near the left end of the elastic member support portion 22, and extends diagonally upward and left again. The tip end of the movable portion 43 (i.e., the left end in FIG. 2) is in contact with the lower side of the terminal portion 3, approximately at the center in the left-right direction. The movable portion 43 is also in contact with the operating portion 5 from the lower side. As described below, when the operating portion 5 presses the movable portion 43 downward, the movable portion 43 elastically deforms and bends downward with the upper end of the elastic member support portion 22 as a fulcrum, and moves downward away from the terminal portion 3. When the downward pressing force on the movable portion 43 is removed, the movable portion 43 returns to its original state due to a restoring force (i.e., elastic recovery).

[0037] 2, as described above, the tip of the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is in contact with the terminal portion 3 from below. As a result, the insertion path of the electric wire, which will be described later, is closed by the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 on the inside of the insertion hole 21 (i.e., on the side closer to the center in the left-right direction of the case 2). The state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the state before the electric wire is inserted into the insertion hole 21, i.e., the state before the connection device 1 is used, and in the following description, this state will also be referred to as the "initial state."

[0038] In the initial state (i.e., the insertion hole closed state), the elastic member 4 is slightly bent in a direction in which the fixed portion 42 and the movable portion 43 approach each other. This prevents the elastic member 4 from falling off the case 2. Furthermore, when the elastic member 4 and the terminal portion 3 clamp the electric wire, a sufficient clamping force (i.e., gripping force) can be exerted even if the electric wire is relatively thin.

[0039] The operation unit 5 includes a cam unit 51, a drive unit 52, and an electric wire receiving unit 53. The cam unit 51 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped part that is located inside the case 2 (i.e., inside the outer edge of the case 2). The cam unit 51 contacts the movable unit 43 of the elastic member 4 from above. A through hole extending in the thickness direction is provided in the cam unit 51, and a bearing 54 is provided in the through hole. The bearing 54 is fitted onto a substantially cylindrical rotating shaft 24 that is provided in the case 2 and extends in the thickness direction. The cam unit 51 is supported by the case 2 so as to be rotatable around the rotating shaft 24 in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction. The cam unit 51 and the rotating shaft 24 overlap the terminal unit 3 in the thickness direction and are located on the back side of the terminal unit 3 in FIG. 2 .

[0040] The driving unit 52 is a generally cylindrical or rod-shaped member that extends obliquely upward in a generally straight line from the cam unit 51. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driving unit 52 is a generally rectangular cylindrical member that has a hole 521 with a rectangular cross section that opens at the upper end. As will be described later, the tip of a tool such as a flathead screwdriver can be inserted into the hole 521. The upper end of the driving unit 52 protrudes obliquely upward from the outer edge (i.e., the outer contour) of the case 2.

[0041] The wire receiving portion 53 is a generally plate-shaped or rod-shaped member that extends from approximately the center of the drive unit 52 in the longitudinal direction toward the inside in the left-right direction (i.e., toward the side closer to the center of the case 2 in the left-right direction). In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the wire receiving portion 53 is bent so as to approach the cam portion 51 in the longitudinal direction of the drive unit 52 as it moves away from the connection portion with the drive unit 52. In other words, the wire receiving portion 53 extends from the connection portion with the drive unit 52 toward the cam portion 51 more than in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the drive unit 52.

[0042] Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the operating unit 5 located on the right side in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the shape of the cam portion 51 of the operating unit 5 in a front view (i.e., the shape when viewed from the front side of Fig. 3 in the thickness direction) is a substantially rectangular shape having two pairs of long sides 511 and short sides 512. The long sides 511 extend upward as they move inward in the left-right direction. The short sides 512 extend downward as they move inward in the left-right direction.

[0043] Bearing 54 is located near the corner formed by lower long side 511 and outer short side 512 in the left-right direction (i.e., the lower right corner in FIG. 3). In cam portion 51, the distance between the center of rotation shaft 24 and the outer edge of cam portion 51 is minimum in a direction passing through the center of rotation shaft 24 and perpendicular to lower long side 511 of cam portion 51. Furthermore, the distance between the center of rotation shaft 24 and the outer edge of cam portion 51 increases as one moves clockwise around rotation shaft 24 from the direction where the distance is minimum.

[0044] In the initial state shown in FIG. 3, the surface of cam portion 51 corresponding to lower long side 511 (i.e., the lower surface) is in surface contact with the upper surface of movable portion 43 of elastic member 4. Operating portion 5 is rotatable counterclockwise in FIG. 3 around rotation axis 24 from the initial state. When operating portion 5 rotates counterclockwise from the initial state, the restoring force of elastic member 4 acts on a portion of cam portion 51 that comes into contact with elastic member 4. In the following description, the portion of operating portion 5 on which the restoring force of elastic member 4 acts is referred to as a "first portion 513." Furthermore, the portion of operating portion 5 on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated (i.e., bearing 54) is referred to as a "second portion 514."

[0045] Next, a description will be given of the flow of connecting an electric wire to the connection device 1. Below, a description will be given of the state when connecting an electric wire to the insertion hole 21 on the right side in Fig. 2. When connecting an electric wire to the insertion hole 21 on the left side in Fig. 2, the actions of the worker are substantially the same, except that the directions are reversed.

[0046] First, from the initial state shown in Figures 1 to 3, operating unit 5 is rotated counterclockwise in Figure 3 around rotation axis 24. When operating unit 5 is rotated, for example, an operator inserts the tip of a tool such as a regular flathead screwdriver into hole 521 of drive unit 52 of operating unit 5 and moves the tool leftward. Alternatively, an operator may pinch the tip of drive unit 52 with their fingers and move it leftward.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates the state in which the operating unit 5 is rotated approximately 30° counterclockwise from the initial state (see FIG. 3 ). The state illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrates the operating unit 5 during rotation and is not the connected or disconnected state described later. In the state illustrated in FIG. 4 , a portion of the cam portion 51 near a corner located diagonally below and to the left of the rotation shaft 24 is a first portion 513 that contacts the elastic member 4. The first portion 513 moves on the cam portion 51 as the cam portion 51 rotates. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , rotating the operating unit 5 counterclockwise increases the shortest distance between the center of the rotation shaft 24 and the first portion 513. In the following description, the shortest distance between the center of the rotation shaft 24 and the first portion 513 is simply referred to as the distance between the rotation shaft 24 and the first portion 513. When this distance increases and a downward force is applied from the operating unit 5 to the elastic member 4, the elastic member 4 bends and deforms. Specifically, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is pushed downward and moves away from the terminal portion 3 downward.

[0048] In FIG. 4 , the vector of the restoring force of the elastic member 4 acting on the first portion 513 of the operating unit 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the "restoring force vector") is indicated by a thick arrow labeled with the reference symbol 81. The starting point of the restoring force vector 81 is the first portion 513 of the operating unit 5. A reference line 82, which is an imaginary straight line connecting the first portion 513 and the second portion 514, is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As described above, the second portion 514 is the bearing 54 of the operating unit 5, and more specifically, is the intersection of the imaginary line connecting the first portion 513 of the bearing 54 and the center of the rotation shaft 24. Like the first portion 513, the second portion 514 also moves on the bearing 54 as the cam portion 51 rotates. In FIG. 4 , the reference line 82 is indicated as a straight line connecting the first portion 513 and the center of the rotation shaft 24. This also applies to the drawings described later.

[0049] In the state shown in Fig. 4, the restoring force vector 81 does not overlap with the reference line 82, but points upward while tilting to the left of the reference line 82. Therefore, a clockwise rotational moment acts on the cam portion 51 due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 4, if the operator no longer continues to apply force to the operating unit 5, the elastic member 4 and the operating unit 5 will return to the initial state shown in Fig. 3.

[0050] In actual operation, the operator does not leave the operation unit 5 in the state shown in Fig. 4, but further rotates it to the state shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 (hereinafter also referred to as the "unconnected state"). Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are a perspective view and a vertical cross-sectional view, respectively, of the connection device 1 in the unconnected state. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the operation unit 5 on the right side of Fig. 6.

[0051] 5 to 7, the upper end of the drive portion 52 of the operating unit 5 comes into contact with the case 2. This restricts the movement of the operating unit 5 so that it cannot rotate further counterclockwise. In the unconnected state, the wire receiving portion 53 of the operating unit 5 extends downward from near the inner end of the terminal portion 3 in the left-right direction. The lower end of the wire receiving portion 53 is located on an insertion path for wires, which will be described later. In the unconnected state, a portion of the cam portion 51 near a corner located below the rotation shaft 24 is a first portion 513 that comes into contact with the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4. The movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 extends in a direction approximately tangential to the cam portion 51 at the first portion 513.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, by further rotating the operating unit 5 counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the rotation shaft 24 and the first part 513 further increases, and the deflection of the elastic member 4 also increases. Specifically, the movable part 43 of the elastic member 4 is pressed further downward and moves farther downward away from the terminal part 3. This opens the insertion path of the electric wire, which will be described later. Furthermore, the angle between the restoring force vector 81 and the reference line 82 decreases as the operating unit 5 rotates counterclockwise, and the restoring force vector 81 approaches the reference line 82. This reduces the clockwise rotation moment acting on the cam part 51 due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4.

[0053] In the unconnected state shown in FIG. 7 , the restoring force vector 81 substantially overlaps the reference line 82, and the restoring force of the elastic member 4 and the reaction force generated in the operation unit 5 against the restoring force are balanced. Therefore, neither a clockwise nor a counterclockwise rotation moment acts on the cam portion 51. Therefore, even if the operator releases the operation unit 5 (i.e., even if the operator is not applying force to the operation unit 5), the circumferential position (i.e., the rotational position) of the operation unit 5 is maintained in the state shown in FIG. 7 . The state of the elastic member 4 is also maintained in the unconnected state (i.e., temporarily fixed). The unconnected state shown in FIG. 7 is a temporarily fixed state in which the elastic member 4 is temporarily fixed in a bent state. In the connection device 1, the operation unit 5 includes only one first portion 513 to which the restoring force of the elastic member 4 acts and one second portion 514 to which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. This simplifies the structure of the connection device 1.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the relationship between the movement distance of the operating unit 5 from its initial state and the rotational moment acting on the operating unit 5 due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4. The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 represents the movement distance of the operating unit 5 from its initial state in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis 24, with the movement distance in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7 being positive. The vertical axis in FIG. 8 represents the above-mentioned rotational moment, with the moment in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7 being positive. The point labeled 85 in FIG. 8 represents the unconnected state in which the rotational moment is approximately zero. Note that the change in the rotational moment actually acting on the operating unit 5 does not necessarily have to be the same as the change in the rotational moment indicated by the straight line in FIG. 8.

[0055] When the connection device 1 is in the unconnected state, as shown in FIG. 9 , an electric wire 91 is inserted into the insertion hole 21. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the electric wire 91 is inserted into the right-side insertion hole 21. The electric wire 91 is inserted from the insertion hole 21 into the case 2 in a predetermined insertion direction, and is positioned between the terminal portion 3 and the unconnected elastic member 4. The insertion direction of the electric wire 91 into the case 2 is oblique with respect to the up-down and left-right directions. This prevents the electric wire 91 from protruding in the up-down direction from the connection device 1, and allows the electric wire 91 to be easily inserted into the insertion hole 21 while visually checking the insertion hole 21. The angle between the insertion direction and the up-down direction can be optimized as appropriate depending on the location where the connection device 1 is expected to be used, the position and line of sight of the worker, etc.

[0056] The electric wire 91 may be, for example, a solid wire or a relatively thick stranded wire. The electric wire 91 may also be an electric wire in which a rod-shaped crimp terminal or the like is provided at the tip of a relatively thin stranded wire. The rod-shaped crimp terminal may be an insulating-coated crimp terminal in which an insulating sleeve or the like is provided at the base of a rod-shaped conductive portion, or a bare crimp terminal without an insulating sleeve or the like. The diameter of the tip of the electric wire 91 is preferably, for example, 0.42 mm or more. In reality, the diameter of the tip of the electric wire 91 is 2.3 mm or less. The diameter of the tip of the electric wire 91 may be varied in various ways depending on the current capacity of the connection device 1 to which the electric wire 91 is connected. The diameter of portions of the electric wire 91 other than the tip may also be varied in various ways.

[0057] The tip of the electric wire 91 directly contacts the electric wire receiving portion 53 of the operating unit 5 inside the case 2. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the right side surface of the electric wire receiving portion 53 directly contacts the tip of the electric wire 91 and forms a receiving surface 531 that spreads out from the tip to the periphery. The receiving surface 531 is located further back than the unconnected elastic member 4 in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91, and spreads out along a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction. Note that the receiving surface 531 does not necessarily have to be a surface perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0058] The electric wire 91 is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction with its tip in contact with the receiving surface 531 of the electric wire receiving portion 53. As a result, a force is directly transmitted from the electric wire 91 to the operating unit 5. Then, the operating unit 5 rotates slightly clockwise in FIG. 9 around the rotation shaft 24. In other words, the position of the operating unit 5 (i.e., the rotational position) is changed in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 24. The rotation direction of the cam portion 51 at the first portion 513 is from the front side to the rear side in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91 (i.e., the direction toward approximately the left side in FIG. 9).

[0059] 10, the restoring force vector 81 is shifted to the left in FIG. 10 from the reference line 82, and a clockwise rotational moment acts on the cam portion 51 due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4 (see point 86 in FIG. 8). As a result, the operating unit 5 further rotates clockwise, and the elastic member 4 returns to its original state from the unconnected state.

[0060] 11 to 13, the elastic member 4 transitions to a connected state in which the wire 91 is clamped between the elastic member 4 and the terminal portion 3 (i.e., the wire 91 is clamped together with the terminal portion 3), and the wire 91 and the terminal portion 3 are electrically and mechanically connected. In other words, after the wire 91 is inserted into the connection device 1, the connection is automatically established (i.e., without the operator operating the operation unit 5 using a tool other than the wire 91 or their fingers). The operator may recognize the transition to the connected state, for example, from vibrations or sounds generated when the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 presses the wire 91 against the terminal portion 3. The vibrations or sounds are generated, for example, when one of the elastic member 4, the wire 91, the terminal portion 3, the operation unit 5, and the case 2 collides with another member. The connection device 1 may employ various structures that promote the generation of the vibrations or sounds or that amplify the vibrations or sounds.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 13, the tip of the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is a wire contact portion 45 that comes into direct contact with the wire 91 in the connected state. As indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 13, the movement path of the wire contact portion 45 when the elastic member 4 transitions from the unconnected state to the connected state does not overlap in the thickness direction with the movement area of ​​the operation unit 5 when transitioning from the unconnected state to the connected state. Furthermore, in the connection device 1, the movement path of the wire contact portion 45 does not overlap in the thickness direction with the movement area of ​​the operation unit 5 even when transitioning between the initial state and the unconnected state. This prevents the wire contact portion 45 from digging into the cam portion 51 of the operation unit 5 and hindering the rotation of the cam portion 51.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 12, in the connected device 1, the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5 protrudes substantially vertically upward from the case 2. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, in the disconnected device 1, the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5 is tilted inward in the left-right direction compared to the state shown in FIG. 12. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the initial state of the connected device 1, the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5 is tilted outward in the left-right direction compared to the state shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, by visually checking the direction in which the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5 extends (i.e., the orientation of the drive unit 52), the operator can determine whether the state of the elastic member 4 of the connected device 1 is the initial state, the disconnected state, or the connected state. In other words, the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5 is a visible indicator that indicates the state of the elastic member 4.

[0063] When removing the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1, for example, an operator inserts the tip of a tool such as a flathead screwdriver into the hole 521 of the drive unit 52 and rotates the operation unit 5 counterclockwise in FIG. 12 . When the operation unit 5 is rotated to the unconnected state shown in FIG. 6 , the restoring force vector 81 substantially overlaps with the reference line 82, as described above, and the elastic member 4 is maintained in the unconnected state, spaced downward from the electric wire 91. This releases the electric wire 91 from the clamping by the elastic member 4 and the terminal unit 3. The operator can easily remove the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1 by pulling the electric wire 91 out of the insertion hole 21.

[0064] As described above, the connection device 1 to which the electric wire 91 is connected includes the case 2, the conductive terminal portion 3, the elastic member 4, and the operation unit 5. The terminal portion 3 is fixed to the case 2. The elastic member 4 is attached to the case 2 and clamps the electric wire 91 by pressing it against the terminal portion 3 with its restoring force. The operation unit 5 applies force to the elastic member 4 to bend it from its initial state to an unconnected state and maintains it in the unconnected state. The operation unit 5 includes a first portion 513 on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4 acts, and a second portion 514 on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. The vector of the restoring force is defined as a restoring force vector 81, and a straight line connecting the first portion 513 and the second portion 514 is defined as a reference line 82.

[0065] When the elastic member 4 is in an unconnected state, the restoring force vector 81 substantially overlaps with the reference line 82, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit 5 and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4 in an unconnected state. Furthermore, when an electric wire 91 is inserted between the terminal unit 3 and the unconnected elastic member 4, the position of the operation unit 5 is changed and the restoring force vector 81 deviates from the reference line 82, and the elastic member 4 is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, and transitions to a connected state in which the electric wire 91 is clamped between the terminal unit 3 and the elastic member 4.

[0066] By configuring the connection device 1 as described above, it is possible to simplify the structure of the connection device 1 because it is not necessary to provide other structures such as a stepped portion for locking the operation unit 5 in a disconnected state or a state release portion for releasing the locked state of the operation unit 5. Furthermore, unlike when the operation unit 5 is locked to a stepped portion or the like of the case 2, it is possible to prevent locking failures due to wear of the stepped portion or the like, thereby realizing a longer lifespan for the connection device 1.

[0067] As described above, in connection device 1, restoring force vector 81 in the unconnected state only needs to roughly overlap with reference line 82, and does not need to exactly match (the same applies to connection devices 1a to 1d). For example, even if restoring force vector 81 shown in FIG. 7 is tilted slightly to the left of reference line 82 (i.e., the rotational moment acting on cam portion 51 has moved slightly toward point 86 from point 85 shown in FIG. 8), it is sufficient that the unconnected state is maintained by the frictional force generated between cam portion 51 and elastic member 4, etc. Even in this case, the structure of connection device 1 can be simplified as described above.

[0068] As described above, the operating unit 5 preferably includes a cam portion 51 that rotates around the rotation shaft 24. The cam portion 51 contacts the elastic member 4 at the first portion 513 and also contacts the rotation shaft 24 at the bearing 54 that is the second portion 514. When the elastic member 4 transitions to the unwired state, the cam portion 51 rotates, increasing the distance between the first portion 513 and the rotation shaft 24 and bending the elastic member 4. As a result, the restoring force vector 81 substantially overlaps with the reference line 82, maintaining the rotational position of the operating unit 5 and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4 in the unwired state. This makes it possible to transition the elastic member 4 to the unwired state and maintain it in the unwired state with a simple structure.

[0069] As described above, when connecting the electric wire 91, it is preferable that the inserted electric wire 91 directly contacts the operating unit 5 to change the position of the operating unit 5. This makes it easy to transmit the force that pushes the electric wire 91 to the operating unit 5, making it possible to easily achieve automatic wiring in which the electric wire 91 is connected simply by an operation such as inserting the electric wire 91. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a portion of the elastic member 4 that comes into contact with the electric wire 91, the shape of the elastic member 4 can be simplified.

[0070] As described above, the operating unit 5 preferably includes the wire receiving portion 53 that comes into direct contact with the tip of the electric wire 91. The wire receiving portion 53 preferably includes a receiving surface 531 that spreads out from the tip of the electric wire 91 to the periphery. This allows the force that pushes the electric wire 91 to be transmitted to the operating unit 5 efficiently.

[0071] As described above, the elastic member 4 has the wire contact portion 45 that comes into direct contact with the wire 91 in the wired state, and it is preferable that the movement path of the wire contact portion 45 does not overlap with the movement area of ​​the operating unit 5, at least when the elastic member 4 transitions from the unconnected state to the wired state. This makes it possible to prevent the wire contact portion 45 of the elastic member 4 from coming into contact with the operating unit 5 and impeding the movement of the operating unit 5.

[0072] As described above, it is preferable that a part of the operation unit 5 (for example, the drive unit 52) ​​protrudes from the case 2. This allows the operator to easily operate the operation unit 5. The operator can also operate the operation unit 5 with his or her fingers, without using a tool such as a flathead screwdriver.

[0073] As described above, it is preferable that the connection device 1 be provided with a visible identification unit (in the above example, the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5) that indicates the state of the elastic member 4. This allows the state of the elastic member 4 to be recognized easily and quickly.

[0074] As mentioned above, it is preferable that the elastic member 4 is a leaf spring, which allows the structure of the connection device 1 to be further simplified.

[0075] As described above, in the connection device 1, before the electric wire 91 is inserted, the shape of the elastic member 4 and the position of the operating unit 5 are maintained in the unwired state in which the restoring force vector 81 is substantially overlapped with the reference line 82 (i.e., the state in which the rotational moment acting on the cam portion 51 is approximately 0). However, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the position of the operating unit 5 may also be maintained in a state in which the elastic member 4 in the unwired state is further deflected.

[0076] In the state shown in FIG. 14 , restoring force vector 81 is inclined slightly to the right of reference line 82. Therefore, the rotational moment acting on cam portion 51 is counterclockwise (i.e., negative), and the relationship between the movement distance of operation unit 5 from the initial state and the rotational moment acting on operation unit 5 is represented by point 87, which is located to the lower right of point 86 in the connected state and point 85 in the unconnected state, as shown in FIG. 15 . That is, a force acts from elastic member 4 on cam portion 51 to rotate operation unit 5 counterclockwise, but no force acts in the direction of rotating operation unit 5 clockwise to return to the connected state or the initial state. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 14 , the upper end of drive unit 52 of operation unit 5 comes into contact with case 2, restricting further counterclockwise rotation of operation unit 5.

[0077] 14, as described above, the position of the operation unit 5 is maintained even when the elastic member 4 is further deflected in the unconnected state. Furthermore, the rotational moment acting on the cam portion 51 due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4 is in the opposite direction to the direction that returns the operation unit 5 to the connected state and the initial state. This makes it possible to more stably maintain the shape of the elastic member 4 when it is separated from the terminal portion 3.

[0078] Next, a connection device 1a according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 16 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of an operation unit 5a of the connection device 1a. Fig. 16 shows the connection device 1a in an initial state.

[0079] Connection device 1a includes a case 2a, a terminal section 3a, an elastic member 4a, and an operation section 5a. In connection device 1a, the shapes of case 2a, terminal section 3a, elastic member 4a, and operation section 5a, as well as the movements of elastic member 4a and operation section 5a, differ from those of connection device 1 shown in Fig. 1, but the materials, functions, etc. are the same. Furthermore, like connection device 1, connection device 1a may include two or more sets of terminal sections 3a, elastic members 4a, and operation sections 5a inside case 2a.

[0080] The terminal portion 3a is a conductive, approximately plate-shaped member fixed to the case 2a. The terminal portion 3a is made of, for example, metal. The elastic member 4a is an elastically deformable member attached to the case 2a. The elastic member 4a is, for example, a substantially strip-shaped leaf spring. The elastic member 4a may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or may be made of an insulating material such as resin. The elastic member 4a has a shape bent at the center in the longitudinal direction into a substantially L-shape, a substantially V-shape, or a substantially U-shape.

[0081] Like the elastic member 4 described above, the elastic member 4a includes a bending portion 41a, a fixed portion 42a, and a movable portion 43a. The tip end of the movable portion 43a (i.e., the left end portion in FIG. 16) is in contact with the bottom of the terminal portion 3a at approximately the center in the left-right direction. This closes the insertion path of the electric wire, which will be described later, inside the insertion hole 21a. The movable portion 43a is also in contact with the operating portion 5a from the bottom. When the operating portion 5a presses the movable portion 43a downward, the movable portion 43a elastically deforms and bends downward, moving downward away from the terminal portion 3a, as will be described later. When the downward pressing force on the movable portion 43a is removed, the movable portion 43a returns to its original state due to a restoring force (i.e., elastically recovers).

[0082] The operating unit 5a includes a cam portion 51a, a drive portion 52a, and an identification portion 55a. The cam portion 51a is a substantially triangular plate-like portion with one vertex located at the lower end when viewed from the front, and is disposed inside the case 2a (i.e., inside the outer edge of the case 2a). The cam portion 51a contacts the movable portion 43a of the elastic member 4a from above. A through-hole extending in the thickness direction is provided in the upper part of the cam portion 51a, and a bearing 54a is provided in the through-hole. The bearing 54a is fitted onto a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft 24a provided in the case 2a and extending in the thickness direction. The cam portion 51a is supported by the case 2a so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 24a in a plane substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction. In cam portion 51a, the distance between the center of rotation shaft 24a and the outer edge of cam portion 51a is greatest on a line extending from the center of rotation shaft 24a to the vertex of the lower end of cam portion 51a. The lower part of cam portion 51a overlaps with terminal portion 3a in the thickness direction and is located on the back side of terminal portion 3a in FIG.

[0083] The drive unit 52a is a portion that extends rightward from the right side of the cam unit 51a and is a substantially rectangular plate-like portion in a front view. In the initial state shown in Fig. 16, the right end of the drive unit 52a (i.e., the end farther from the cam unit 51a) is located inside a through-hole 231a provided in the upper part of the case 2a. In the initial state, the upper surface of the right end of the drive unit 52a is located at substantially the same position in the up-down direction as the upper surface of the case 2a around the through-hole 231a.

[0084] A recess 521a is provided at the top of the right end of the drive unit 52a at a position that overlaps with the through-hole 231a in the up-down direction. In the initial state, the recess 521a is located inside the through-hole 231a. A protrusion 522a that protrudes downward is provided at the bottom of the right end of the drive unit 52a. The protrusion 522a protrudes toward the wire insertion path described below.

[0085] The identifier 55a is a generally rectangular columnar portion extending diagonally upward and left from the upper portion of the left side of the cam portion 51a. The identifier 55a is located below a through-hole 232a provided in the upper portion of the case 2a. The through-hole 232a is spaced to the left from the above-mentioned through-hole 231a. In the initial state, the entire identifier 55a is located inside the case 2 below the through-hole 232a.

[0086] Next, the flow of connecting an electric wire to the connection device 1a will be described. First, in the initial state shown in Fig. 16, an operator inserts the tip of a tool 92, such as a regular flat-head screwdriver, into the recess 521a of the drive unit 52a of the operation unit 5a from above and pushes the tool 92 downward. This causes the operation unit 5a to rotate clockwise in Fig. 16 around the rotation shaft 24a.

[0087] When the operating portion 5a rotates, as shown in FIG. 17, the distance between the contact point between the cam portion 51a and the elastic member 4a and the center of the rotation shaft 24a increases, and the movable portion 43a of the elastic member 4a is pushed downward by the cam portion 51a and moves away from the terminal portion 3a.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 17, during rotation of the operating unit 5a, the restoring force vector 81a of the elastic member 4a acting on the first portion 513a is shifted to the right from the reference line 82a, which is an imaginary line connecting the first portion 513a and the second portion 514a. Therefore, a counterclockwise rotational moment acts on the cam portion 51a, and unless the operator continues to press the operating unit 5a downward, the elastic member 4a and the operating unit 5a return to the initial state shown in FIG. 16. The first portion 513a is the portion of the operating unit 5a on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4a acts. Specifically, it is the portion of the lower end of the cam portion 51a that contacts the elastic member 4a. The second portion 514a is the portion of the operating unit 5a on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. Specifically, it is the intersection of the bearing 54a with the imaginary line connecting the first portion 513a and the center of the rotation shaft 24a.

[0089] The operator pushes the operating unit 5a against the restoring force of the elastic member 4a until it reaches the unwired state shown in Fig. 18. In this unwired state, the restoring force vector 81a of the elastic member 4a acting on the first portion 513a is substantially aligned with the reference line 82a connecting the first portion 513a and the second portion 514a. This balances the restoring force of the elastic member 4a and the reaction force generated in the operating unit 5a against the restoring force.

[0090] Therefore, neither the counterclockwise rotational moment nor the clockwise rotational moment acts on the cam portion 51a. Therefore, even if the operator pulls the tool 92 out of the through-hole 231a of the case 2a (i.e., even if the operator is not applying force to the operation unit 5a), the circumferential position (i.e., the rotational position) of the operation unit 5a is stably maintained in the unconnected state shown in FIG. 18. The state of the elastic member 4a is also stably maintained in the unconnected state (i.e., temporarily fixed). The unconnected state shown in FIG. 18 is a temporarily fixed state in which the elastic member 4a is temporarily fixed in a bent state. At this time, the protrusion 522a of the operation unit 5a is positioned above the insertion path of the electric wire, which will be described later. The operation unit 5a of the connection device 1a includes only one first portion 513a on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4a acts and only one second portion 514a on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. This simplifies the structure of the connection device 1a.

[0091] In this unconnected state, the upper end of the identification portion 55a protrudes upward from the through-hole 232a of the case 2a. Furthermore, a part of the operation portion 5a (in the example shown in FIG. 18, the part on the left side of the convex portion 522a) comes into contact with the stopper 28a, which is a protrusion provided on the case 2a, thereby restricting the movement of the operation portion 5a so that the operation portion 5a does not rotate further in the clockwise direction. Furthermore, by visually confirming that the identification portion 55a protrudes from the case 2a, the worker can easily determine that the connected device 1a is in the unconnected state.

[0092] In the connection device 1a, similarly to the connection device 1 shown in FIG. 14, the operation unit 5a may be rotated further clockwise than the rotation position shown in FIG. 18, and the position of the operation unit 5a may be maintained with the elastic member 4a further deflected. This structure can be realized, for example, by positioning the lower end of the cam portion 51a in FIG. 18 as a substantially horizontal plane extending rightward from the first portion 513a in the figure and shifting the upper surface of the stopper 28a downward. In this case, the restoring force vector 81a is inclined slightly leftward from the reference line 82a, and the rotational moment acting on the cam portion 51a is clockwise. That is, a force from the elastic member 4a acts on the cam portion 51a to rotate the operation unit 5a clockwise. However, the clockwise rotation of the operation unit 5a is limited by the operation unit 5a contacting the stopper 28a. Furthermore, no force from the elastic member 4a acts on the cam portion 51a in a direction that rotates the operation unit 5a counterclockwise and returns it to its initial state. Therefore, the position (ie, the rotational position) of the operating portion 5a is stably maintained, and the shape of the elastic member 4a in the state separated from the terminal portion 3a can be stably maintained.

[0093] When the connection device 1a is in the unconnected state, as shown in FIG. 19 , the electric wire 91 is inserted into the case 2a through the insertion hole 21a in a predetermined insertion direction and positioned between the terminal portion 3a and the unconnected elastic member 4a. The electric wire 91 is inserted into the case 2a in a diagonal direction inclined relative to the vertical and horizontal directions. The type and diameter of the electric wire 91 are the same as those described above. In the example shown in FIG. 19 , the tip of the electric wire 91 contacts a part of the case 2a to prevent further insertion. Furthermore, the protrusion 522a of the drive unit 52a of the operation unit 5a contacts the electric wire 91 from above. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 19 , the protrusion 522a of the operation unit 5a contacts the sheath of the electric wire 91, but it may also contact the conductive portion of the electric wire 91 or a rod-shaped crimp terminal. Furthermore, the protrusion 522a may be positioned slightly above the electric wire 91 without contacting the electric wire 91.

[0094] Next, as shown in Fig. 20, the worker moves the electric wire 91 slightly upward from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. For example, the worker presses the tip of the electric wire 91 against the case 2a and uses the tip as a fulcrum to pry the electric wire 91 upward. This directly transmits force from the electric wire 91 to the protrusion 522a of the operation unit 5a. Then, the operation unit 5a rotates slightly counterclockwise in Fig. 20 around the rotation shaft 24a. In other words, the position of the operation unit 5a (i.e., the rotational position) is changed in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 24a.

[0095] 20, and a counterclockwise rotation moment acts on the cam portion 51a due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4a. As a result, the operating portion 5a further rotates counterclockwise, and the elastic member 4a returns to its original state.

[0096] Then, as shown in FIG. 21 , the elastic member 4a transitions to a connected state in which the wire 91 is clamped between the elastic member 4a and the terminal portion 3a, and the wire 91 and the terminal portion 3a are electrically and mechanically connected. In other words, after the wire 91 is inserted into the connection device 1a, the connection is automatically established (i.e., without the operator operating the operation unit 5a using a tool other than the wire 91 or their fingers). The operator may recognize the transition to the connected state, for example, from vibrations or sounds generated when the movable portion 43a of the elastic member 4a presses the wire 91 against the terminal portion 3a. The vibrations or sounds are generated, for example, when one of the elastic member 4a, the wire 91, the terminal portion 3a, the operation unit 5a, and the case 2a collides with another member. The connection device 1a may employ various structures that promote or amplify the vibrations or sounds.

[0097] In the connected device 1a in the wired state, the identification unit 55a of the operation unit 5a is housed within the case 2a, unlike in the unconnected state, and does not protrude from the through-hole 232a of the case 2a. Therefore, by visually confirming that the identification unit 55a is housed within the case 2a, the worker can easily recognize that the connected device 1a has transitioned from the unconnected state to the wired state.

[0098] When removing the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1a, for example, an operator inserts the tip of a tool such as a flathead screwdriver into the through-hole 231a of the case 2a and pushes down the drive unit 52a of the operation unit 5a. This causes the operation unit 5a to rotate clockwise in FIG. 21. When the operation unit 5a rotates to the disconnected state shown in FIG. 19, as described above, the restoring force vector 81a (see FIG. 18) substantially overlaps with the reference line 82a, and the elastic member 4a is maintained in the disconnected state, spaced downward from the electric wire 91. This releases the electric wire 91 from the clamping by the elastic member 4a and the terminal portion 3a. The operator can easily remove the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1a by pulling the electric wire 91 out of the insertion hole 21a.

[0099] As described above, the connection device 1a to which the electric wire 91 is connected includes a case 2a, a conductive terminal portion 3a, an elastic member 4a, and an operation unit 5a. The terminal portion 3a is fixed to the case 2a. The elastic member 4a is attached to the case 2a and clamps the electric wire 91 by pressing it against the terminal portion 3a with its restoring force. The operation unit 5a applies force to the elastic member 4a to bend it from its initial state to an unconnected state and maintain it in the unconnected state. The operation unit 5a includes a first portion 513a on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4a acts and a second portion 514a on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. The vector of the restoring force is defined as a restoring force vector 81a, and a straight line connecting the first portion 513a and the second portion 514a is defined as a reference line 82a.

[0100] When the elastic member 4a is in the unconnected state, the restoring force vector 81a substantially overlaps with the reference line 82a, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit 5a and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4a in the unconnected state. Furthermore, when the electric wire 91 is inserted between the terminal portion 3a and the unconnected elastic member 4a, if the position of the operation unit 5a is changed and the restoring force vector 81a deviates from the reference line 82a, the elastic member 4a is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, and transitions to a connected state in which the electric wire 91 is clamped between the terminal portion 3a and the elastic member 4a.

[0101] By configuring connection device 1a as described above, it is not necessary to provide other structures such as a step portion for locking operation unit 5a in the disconnected state or a state release portion for releasing the lock of operation unit 5a, thereby simplifying the structure of connection device 1a. Furthermore, unlike when operation unit 5a is locked to a step portion or the like of case 2a, locking failure due to wear of the step portion or the like can be prevented, thereby realizing a longer lifespan for connection device 1a.

[0102] As described above, in the connection device 1a, it is preferable that the position of the operation unit 5a be maintained even when the elastic member 4a is further deflected in the unconnected state. At this time, the rotational moment acting on the cam portion 51a due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4a is in the opposite direction to the direction that returns the operation unit 5a to the connected state and the initial state. This allows the shape of the elastic member 4a to be more stably maintained when it is separated from the terminal portion 3a.

[0103] In the connection device 1a, the operation unit 5a preferably includes a cam portion 51a that rotates around the rotation axis 24a. The cam portion 51a contacts the elastic member 4a at the first portion 513a and contacts the rotation axis 24a at the second portion 514a, which is a bearing 54a. When the elastic member 4a transitions to the disconnected state, the cam portion 51a rotates, increasing the distance between the first portion 513a and the rotation axis 24a, causing the elastic member 4a to bend. The restoring force vector 81a substantially overlaps with the reference line 82a, maintaining the rotational position of the operation unit 5a and maintaining the elastic member 4a in the disconnected state. This allows the elastic member 4a to transition to the disconnected state and maintain the disconnected state with a simple structure.

[0104] As described above, when connecting the electric wire 91, it is preferable that the inserted electric wire 91 directly contacts the operating part 5a to change the position of the operating part 5a. This makes it easy to transmit the force that pushes the electric wire 91 to the operating part 5a, which facilitates automatic wiring of the electric wire 91. In addition, the shape of the elastic member 4a can be simplified.

[0105] The connection device 1a is preferably provided with a visible indicator 55a that indicates the state of the elastic member 4a. In the above example, by visually checking whether the indicator 55a protrudes from the case 2a, it is possible to determine whether the elastic member 4a is in an unconnected state. This allows the state of the elastic member 4a to be easily and quickly recognized.

[0106] In connection device 1a, elastic member 4a is preferably a leaf spring, which can further simplify the structure of connection device 1a.

[0107] In connection device 1a, transition from the unconnected state (see FIG. 19) to the connected state (see FIG. 21) does not necessarily have to be achieved by pushing up drive unit 52a of operation unit 5a with electric wire 91. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, by slightly pushing down identification unit 55a protruding from through-hole 232a of case 2a into case 2a with fingertip 93 of an operator, restoring force vector 81a is shifted to the right from reference line 82a, as in FIG. 20. As a result, cam portion 51a rotates counterclockwise due to the restoring force of elastic member 4a, and connection device 1a transitions to the connected state shown in FIG. 21.

[0108] As described above, in the connection device 1a, it is preferable that a part of the operation unit 5a (in the above example, the identification unit 55a) protrudes from the case 2a, so that an operator can easily operate the operation unit 5a.

[0109] Furthermore, in the connection device 1a, when the elastic member 4a is in the disconnected state (see FIG. 18), a portion of the operation unit 5a (i.e., the identification unit 55a) preferably protrudes from the case 2a, and when the elastic member 5a is in the connected state (see FIG. 21), the portion of the operation unit 5a is preferably located within the case 2a. This allows easy and quick recognition of whether the elastic member 4a is in the disconnected state, as described above. Furthermore, in the disconnected state, the operation unit 5a can be easily operated without using a tool such as a flathead screwdriver. Furthermore, in the connected state, erroneous operation of the operation unit 5a can be prevented. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the identification unit 55a of the operation unit 5a may be pushed into the case 2a using, for example, the tip of a rod-shaped tool, instead of the operator's fingertip 93.

[0110] Next, a description will be given of a connection device 1b according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 23 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of an operation unit 5b of the connection device 1b. Fig. 24 is a plan view showing the operation unit 5b and an elastic member 4b. Figs. 23 and 24 show the connection device 1b in an initial state.

[0111] Connection device 1b includes a case 2b, a terminal section 3b, an elastic member 4b, and an operation section 5b. In connection device 1b, the shapes of case 2b, terminal section 3b, elastic member 4b, and operation section 5b, as well as the movements of elastic member 4b and operation section 5b, differ from those of connection device 1 shown in Fig. 1, but the materials, functions, etc. are the same. Furthermore, like connection device 1, connection device 1b may include two or more sets of terminal sections 3b, elastic members 4b, and operation sections 5b inside case 2b.

[0112] The terminal portion 3b is a conductive, substantially plate-shaped member fixed to the case 2b. The terminal portion 3b is made of, for example, metal. The elastic member 4b is an elastically deformable member attached to the case 2b. The elastic member 4b is, for example, a substantially strip-shaped leaf spring. The elastic member 4b may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or may be made of an insulating material such as resin. The elastic member 4b has a shape bent at its lower end and upper end into a substantially V-shape or a substantially U-shape (i.e., a substantially Z-shape).

[0113] Similar to the elastic member 4 described above, the elastic member 4b includes a bending portion 41b, a fixed portion 42b, and a movable portion 43b. The movable portion 43b includes a cut-and-raised portion 431b that is partially separated from the surrounding area and bent upward. The elastic member 4b further includes a wire receiving portion 44b and a release portion 46b. The wire receiving portion 44b extends upward from the upper end of the movable portion 43b. The release portion 46b extends from the upper end of the wire receiving portion 44b to the left in FIGS. 23 and 24 (i.e., toward the operating unit 5b). The width of the elastic member 4b in the up-down direction in FIG. 24 is substantially constant except for the release portion 46b, and the width of the release portion 46b is greater than the width of the wire receiving portion 44b. The release portion 46b extends leftward and upward in FIG. 24 from the upper end of the wire receiving portion 44b (i.e., the right end in FIG. 24). In order to facilitate understanding of the drawing, the release portion 46b is depicted by a dashed line in Fig. 24. Also, in Fig. 24, the terminal portion 3b is depicted by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0114] The upper end of the cut-and-raised portion 431b of the movable portion 43b (i.e., the right end in FIGS. 23 and 24) is in contact with the approximate center in the left-right direction of the terminal portion 3b from below. As a result, an insertion path for an electric wire, which will be described later, is closed inside an insertion hole 21b provided on the left side of the case 2b. The movable portion 43b is in contact with the operating portion 5b from below at a portion where the cut-and-raised portion 431b is not provided (a portion to the left of the cut-and-raised portion 431b in FIG. 23). When the movable portion 43b is pressed downward by the operating portion 5b, as will be described later, the movable portion 43b elastically deforms and bends downward, moving downward away from the terminal portion 3b. When the downward pressing force on the movable portion 43b is removed, the movable portion 43b returns to its original state due to a restoring force (i.e., elastically returns).

[0115] The wire receiving portion 44b extends obliquely upward to the right from the upper end of the movable portion 43b on the right side of the terminal portion 3b and the operating portion 5b in FIG. band is located on the insertion path of the wire that is inserted along the underside of the terminal portion 3b. The wire receiving portion 44b has a receiving surface 441b that expands around the periphery in the insertion direction of the wire.

[0116] 23 (i.e., in the direction toward the operating unit 5b) and partially faces the operating unit 5b and the terminal unit 3b in the up-down direction. The tip of the releasing portion 46b (i.e., the end portion closer to the operating unit 5b) is bent downward above the operating unit 5b (i.e., in the direction toward the operating unit 5b).

[0117] The operating unit 5b includes a cam portion 51b. The cam portion 51b is a plate-like member that is approximately fan-shaped in a front view and is disposed inside the case 2b (i.e., inside the outer edge of the case 2b). The center of the fan shape is located at the upper right end of the cam portion 51b in FIG. 23, and a through-hole extending in the thickness direction is provided near the center. A bearing 54b is provided in the through-hole. The bearing 54b is fitted onto a rotation shaft 24b that is approximately cylindrical and extends in the thickness direction and is provided on the case 2b. The cam portion 51b is supported by the case 2b so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 24b in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the thickness direction. In the example shown in FIG. 23, the central angle of the approximately fan-shaped cam portion 51b in a front view is approximately 90°.

[0118] Near the lower end of cam portion 51b in FIG. 23, there is provided a substantially semi-cylindrical convex portion 515b that protrudes downward (i.e., radially outward from cam portion 51b). Cam portion 51b contacts movable portion 43b of elastic member 4b from above at convex portion 515b. In cam portion 51b, the distance between the center of rotation shaft 24b and the outer edge of cam portion 51b is greatest on a straight line extending from the center of rotation shaft 24b to the outer peripheral edge of convex portion 515b of cam portion 51b (specifically, approximately the center of the outer peripheral edge in the circumferential direction). The lower portion of cam portion 51b overlaps terminal portion 3b in the thickness direction and is located on the back side of terminal portion 3b in FIG. 23.

[0119] Next, the flow of connecting an electric wire to the connection device 1b will be described. First, in the initial state shown in Fig. 23, an operator inserts the tip of a tool 92 such as a regular flat-head screwdriver into the case 2b through the through-hole 231b provided at the left end of the top surface of the case 2b. tool The tip of tool 92 comes into contact with the upper surface of the left end portion of operating unit 5b located below through-hole 231b. When the operator presses tool 92 downward, operating unit 5b is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 23 around rotation shaft 24b.

[0120] When the operating portion 5b rotates, the distance between the contact point between the cam portion 51b and the elastic member 4b and the center of the rotation shaft 24b increases, as shown in Fig. 25. As a result, the movable portion 43b of the elastic member 4b is pressed downward by the cam portion 51b, and the cut-and-raised portion 431b moves away from the terminal portion 3b.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 25, when the operating unit 5b is rotating, the restoring force vector 81b of the elastic member 4b acting on the first portion 513b is shifted to the left from the reference line 82b, which is an imaginary line connecting the first portion 513b and the second portion 514b. Therefore, a clockwise rotational moment acts on the cam portion 51b. Unless the operator continues to press the operating unit 5b downward, the elastic member 4b and the operating unit 5b return to the initial state shown in FIG. 23. The first portion 513b is the portion of the operating unit 5b on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4b acts. Specifically, it is the portion of the convex portion 515b of the cam portion 51b that contacts the elastic member 4b. The second portion 514b is the portion of the operating unit 5b on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. Specifically, it is the intersection of the bearing 54b with the imaginary line connecting the first portion 513b and the center of the rotation shaft 24b.

[0122] The operator pushes the operating unit 5b against the restoring force of the elastic member 4b until it reaches the unwired state shown in Fig. 26. In this unwired state, the restoring force vector 81b of the elastic member 4b acting on the first portion 513b is substantially aligned with the reference line 82b connecting the first portion 513b and the second portion 514b. This balances the restoring force of the elastic member 4b and the reaction force generated in the operating unit 5b against the restoring force.

[0123] Therefore, neither the clockwise rotational moment nor the counterclockwise rotational moment acts on cam portion 51b. Therefore, even if the operator pulls tool 92 out of through-hole 231b of case 2b (i.e., even if the operator is not applying force to operation unit 5b), the circumferential position (i.e., rotational position) of operation unit 5b is stably maintained in the unconnected state shown in FIG. 26. Furthermore, the state of elastic member 4b is also stably maintained in the unconnected state (i.e., temporarily fastened). The unconnected state shown in FIG. 26 is a temporarily fastened state in which elastic member 4b is temporarily fastened in a bent state. In connection device 1b, operation unit 5b includes only one first portion 513b to which the restoring force of elastic member 4b acts and one second portion 514b to which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. This simplifies the structure of connection device 1b.

[0124] In this disconnected state, the upper surface of the right end of operating unit 5b is a substantially horizontal plane that is substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction and contacts the tip of release portion 46b of elastic member 4b from below. Also, a part of operating unit 5b (the left end of cam portion 51b in the example shown in FIG. 26) comes into contact with stopper 28b, which is a protrusion provided on case 2b, thereby restricting the movement of operating unit 5b so that it does not rotate further counterclockwise.

[0125] In connection device 1b, similarly to connection device 1 shown in FIG. 14, operation unit 5b may be rotated further counterclockwise than the rotation position shown in FIG. 26, and the position of operation unit 5b may be maintained with elastic member 4b further deflected. This structure can be achieved, for example, by moving the upper surface of stopper 28b in FIG. 26 downward. In this case, restoring force vector 81b is tilted slightly to the right of reference line 82b, and the rotational moment acting on cam portion 51b is in the counterclockwise direction. That is, a force from elastic member 4b acts on cam portion 51b to rotate operation unit 5b counterclockwise. However, the counterclockwise rotation of operation unit 5b is limited by the contact of the left end of cam portion 51b with stopper 28b. Furthermore, no force from elastic member 4b acts on cam portion 51b in a direction that rotates operation unit 5b clockwise and returns it to its initial state. Therefore, the position of the operation portion 5b is stably maintained, and the shape of the elastic member 4b in the state where it is separated from the terminal portion 3b can be stably maintained.

[0126] When the connection device 1b is in the unconnected state, as shown in Fig. 27, the electric wire 91 is inserted into the case 2b through the insertion hole 21b in a predetermined insertion direction, and is positioned between the terminal portion 3b and the unconnected elastic member 4b. The insertion direction of the electric wire 91 into the case 2b is substantially parallel to the left-right direction. The type and diameter of the electric wire 91 are the same as those described above.

[0127] The tip of the electric wire 91 directly contacts the electric wire receiving portion 44b of the elastic member 4b inside the case 2b. In the example shown in Fig. 27, the left side surface of the electric wire receiving portion 44b directly contacts the tip of the electric wire 91 and forms a receiving surface 441b that spreads outward from the tip. The receiving surface 441b is located further back than the cut-and-raised portion 431b in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91, and spreads outward in the insertion direction as described above.

[0128] The electric wire 91 is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction with its tip in contact with the receiving surface 441b of the electric wire receiving portion 44b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 28, the receiving surface 441b is pushed toward the rear in the insertion direction, and the electric wire receiving portion 44b and the release portion 46b are deformed in a direction that flattens them in the vertical direction. The tip of the release portion 46b moves downward and presses down the right end of the cam portion 51b of the operation portion 5b that is in contact with the tip. In other words, the force generated by pushing the electric wire 91 is indirectly applied to the operation portion 5b via the elastic member 4b that is in direct contact with the electric wire 91. Then, the operation portion 5b rotates slightly clockwise in FIG. 28 around the rotation shaft 24b. In other words, the position (i.e., the rotational position) of the operation portion 5b is changed in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 24b. The rotation direction of the cam portion 51b at the first portion 513b is a direction from the back side to the front side in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91 (that is, a direction toward the approximately left side in FIG. 28).

[0129] As a result, as shown in Fig. 28, restoring force vector 81b is shifted to the left in Fig. 28 from reference line 82b, and a clockwise rotation moment acts on cam portion 51b due to the restoring force of elastic member 4b. As a result, operating portion 5b further rotates clockwise, and elastic member 4b returns to its original state from the unconnected state.

[0130] Then, as shown in FIG. 29 , the elastic member 4b transitions to a connected state in which the wire 91 is clamped between the elastic member 4b and the terminal portion 3b, electrically and mechanically connecting the wire 91 and the terminal portion 3b. In other words, after the wire 91 is inserted into the connection device 1b, the connection is automatically established (i.e., without the operator operating the operation unit 5b using a tool other than the wire 91 or their fingers). The operator may recognize the transition to the connected state, for example, from vibrations or sounds generated when the cut-and-raised portion 431b of the elastic member 4b presses the wire 91 against the terminal portion 3b. The vibrations or sounds are generated, for example, when one of the elastic member 4b, the wire 91, the terminal portion 3b, the operation unit 5b, and the case 2b collides with another member. The connection device 1b may employ various structures that promote or amplify the vibrations or sounds.

[0131] In the connected device 1b, the portion of the operation unit 5b visible through the through-hole 231b of the case 2b differs in orientation and distance from the through-hole 231b from the portion of the operation unit 5b visible through the through-hole 231b in the unconnected state. Therefore, by visually checking the operation unit 5b through the through-hole 231b, the worker can easily recognize that the connected device 1b has transitioned from the unconnected state to the connected state. Similarly, by visually checking the operation unit 5b through the through-hole 231b, the worker can also easily recognize that the connected device 1b is in the initial state. That is, the portion of the operation unit 5b visible through the through-hole 231b is a visible identification portion that indicates the state of the elastic member 4b. In this case, the portion of the operation unit 5b visible through the through-hole 231b may be colored or otherwise applied to further distinguish between the initial state, the connected state, and the unconnected state.

[0132] When removing the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1b, for example, an operator inserts the tip of a tool such as a flathead screwdriver into the through-hole 231b of the case 2b and pushes the left end of the operation unit 5b downward. This causes the operation unit 5b to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 29. When the operation unit 5b rotates to the unconnected state shown in FIG. 27, as described above, the restoring force vector 81b (see FIG. 26) substantially overlaps with the reference line 82b, and the elastic member 4b is maintained in the unconnected state, spaced downward from the electric wire 91. This releases the electric wire 91 from the clamping by the elastic member 4b and the terminal portion 3b. The operator can easily remove the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1b by pulling the electric wire 91 out of the insertion hole 21b.

[0133] As described above, connection device 1b to which electric wire 91 is connected includes case 2b, conductive terminal portion 3b, elastic member 4b, and operation unit 5b. Terminal portion 3b is fixed to case 2b. Elastic member 4b is attached to case 2b and clamps electric wire 91 by pressing it against terminal portion 3b with its restoring force. Operation unit 5b applies force to elastic member 4b to bend it from its initial state to an unconnected state and maintain it in the unconnected state. Operation unit 5b includes first portion 513b on which the restoring force of elastic member 4b acts and second portion 514b on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. The vector of the restoring force is referred to as restoring force vector 81b, and the straight line connecting first portion 513b and second portion 514b is referred to as reference line 82b.

[0134] When the elastic member 4b is in the unconnected state, the restoring force vector 81b substantially overlaps with the reference line 82b, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit 5b and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4b in the unconnected state. Furthermore, when the electric wire 91 is inserted between the terminal portion 3b and the unconnected elastic member 4b, the position of the operation unit 5b is changed and the restoring force vector 81b deviates from the reference line 82b, and the elastic member 4b is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, and transitions to a connected state in which the electric wire 91 is clamped between the terminal portion 3b and the elastic member 4b.

[0135] By configuring connection device 1b as described above, it is not necessary to provide other structures such as a stepped portion for locking operation unit 5b in the disconnected state or a state release portion for releasing the locked state of operation unit 5b, thereby simplifying the structure of connection device 1b. Furthermore, unlike when operation unit 5b is locked to a stepped portion or the like of case 2b, it is possible to prevent locking failures due to wear of the stepped portion, etc., and achieve a longer lifespan for connection device 1b.

[0136] As described above, in connection device 1b, it is preferable that the position of operation part 5b be maintained even when elastic member 4b is further deflected in the unconnected state. At this time, the rotational moment acting on cam part 51b due to the restoring force of elastic member 4b is in the opposite direction to the direction that returns operation part 5b to the connected state and the initial state. This allows the shape of elastic member 4b to be more stably maintained when it is separated from terminal part 3b.

[0137] In the connection device 1b, the operation unit 5b preferably includes a cam portion 51b that rotates around the rotation axis 24b. The cam portion 51b contacts the elastic member 4b at the first portion 513b and contacts the rotation axis 24b at the second portion 514b, which is a bearing 54b. When the elastic member 4b transitions to the disconnected state, the cam portion 51b rotates, increasing the distance between the first portion 513b and the rotation axis 24b, causing the elastic member 4b to bend. The restoring force vector 81b substantially overlaps with the reference line 82b, maintaining the rotational position of the operation unit 5b and maintaining the elastic member 4b in the disconnected state. This allows the elastic member 4b to transition to the disconnected state and remain in the disconnected state with a simple structure.

[0138] As described above, in connection device 1b, when connecting electric wire 91, it is preferable that inserted electric wire 91 directly contacts elastic member 4b to deform elastic member 4b, thereby applying force to operation unit 5b via elastic member 4b and changing the position of operation unit 5b. This allows for greater freedom in the shape and arrangement of operation unit 5b compared to when operation unit 5b is provided with a portion that directly contacts electric wire 91.

[0139] In connection device 1b, elastic member 4b preferably includes wire receiving portion 44b that comes into direct contact with the tip of electric wire 91, and release portion 46b that extends from wire receiving portion 44b toward operation unit 5b. Furthermore, wire receiving portion 44b preferably includes receiving surface 441b that spreads out from the tip of electric wire 91 to the periphery. When receiving surface 441b is pressed by electric wire 91 toward the rear in the insertion direction of electric wire 91, elastic member 4b deforms, and release portion 46b contacts operation unit 5b and applies a force that rotates cam portion 51b. This prevents wear on operation unit 5b due to direct contact with electric wire 91.

[0140] In connection device 1b, cut-and-raised portion 431b of elastic member 4 is a wire contact portion that directly contacts wire 91 in the wired state. Preferably, at least when elastic member 4b transitions from the unconnected state to the wired state, the movement path of the wire contact portion does not overlap with the movement area of ​​operation unit 5b. This makes it possible to prevent the wire contact portion of elastic member 4b from coming into contact with operation unit 5b and impeding the movement of operation unit 5b.

[0141] It is preferable that the connection device 1b be provided with a visible identification part (in the above example, a part of the operation part 5b visible through the through-hole 231b) that indicates the state of the elastic member 4b, thereby making it possible to easily and quickly recognize the state of the elastic member 4b.

[0142] In the connection device 1b, a portion of the operation unit 5b may protrude from the case 2b. For example, a generally rod-shaped protrusion may be provided that extends upward from the cam portion 51b and protrudes from the case 2b. In this case, the protrusion functions as a visible identifier that indicates the state of the elastic member 4b. Therefore, by visually checking the position of the protrusion of the operation unit 5b, the state of the elastic member 4b can be easily and quickly recognized. Furthermore, an operator can easily operate the operation unit 5b by touching the protrusion with a fingertip or the like. Preferably, the protrusion of the operation unit 5b protrudes from the case 2b when the elastic member 4b is in the unwired state and is located within the case 2b when the elastic member 4b is in the wired state. This allows the operation unit 5b to be easily operated in the unwired state without using a tool such as a flathead screwdriver, and prevents erroneous operation of the operation unit 5b in the wired state.

[0143] In connection device 1b, elastic member 4b is preferably a leaf spring, which can further simplify the structure of connection device 1b.

[0144] As described above, in the connection devices 1, 1a, 1b, when connecting the electric wire 91, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation units 5, 5a, 5b, changing the positions of the operation units 5, 5a, 5b and causing the restoring force vectors 81, 81a, 81b to deviate from the reference lines 82, 82a, 82b. This realizes automatic connection in which the electric wire 91 is connected simply by an operation such as inserting the electric wire 91, thereby facilitating the connection of the electric wire 91 to the connection devices 1, 1a, 1b.

[0145] Next, a connection device 1c according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 30 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of an operation unit 5c of the connection device 1c. Fig. 30 shows the connection device 1c in an initial state.

[0146] Connection device 1c includes a case 2c, a terminal section 3c, an elastic member 4c, an operation section 5c, and a release section 6c. In connection device 1c, the shapes of case 2c, terminal section 3c, elastic member 4c, and operation section 5c, as well as the movements of elastic member 4c and operation section 5c, differ from those of connection device 1 shown in Fig. 1, but the materials, functions, etc. are the same. Furthermore, connection device 1c may include two or more sets of terminal sections 3c, elastic member 4c, operation sections 5c, and release sections 6c within case 2c, similar to connection device 1.

[0147] The terminal portion 3c is a conductive, substantially plate-shaped member fixed to the case 2c. The terminal portion 3c is made of, for example, metal. The elastic member 4c is an elastically deformable member attached to the case 2c. The elastic member 4c is, for example, a substantially strip-shaped leaf spring. The elastic member 4c may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or may be made of an insulating material such as resin. The elastic member 4c has a shape bent at the center in the longitudinal direction into a substantially L-shape, a substantially V-shape, or a substantially U-shape.

[0148] Like the elastic member 4 described above, the elastic member 4c includes a bending portion 41c, a fixed portion 42c, and a movable portion 43c. The tip end (i.e., the left end in FIG. 30) of the movable portion 43c is in contact with the terminal portion 3c from below. As a result, an insertion path for an electric wire, which will be described later, is closed inside an insertion hole 21c provided on the right side of the case 2c. The movable portion 43c is also in contact with the operating portion 5c from below. When the operating portion 5c presses the movable portion 43c downward, the movable portion 43c elastically deforms and bends downward, moving downward away from the terminal portion 3c. When the downward pressing force on the movable portion 43c is removed, the movable portion 43c returns to its original state due to a restoring force (i.e., elastically recovers).

[0149] The operation unit 5c includes an advance / retract portion 56c and a drive unit 52c. The advance / retract portion 56c is a substantially pentagonal plate-like portion with one vertex located at the bottom end when viewed from the front, and is disposed inside the case 2c (i.e., inside the outer edge of the case 2c). The advance / retract portion 56c overlaps with the terminal portion 3c in the thickness direction, and is located behind the terminal portion 3c in FIG. 30.

[0150] The shape of the upper end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c is a generally arcuate shape that is convex upward in front view. The upper end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c contacts the inner surface 25c of the upper end of the case 2c from below. The inner surface 25c of the case 2c is a generally flat surface that extends in a generally straight line in the left-right direction in front view. The lower end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c contacts the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c, which extends along the inner surface 25c of the case 2c, from above. In other words, the advancing / retreating portion 56c of the operating unit 5c is located between the elastic member 4c and the inner surface 25c of the case 2c in the up-down direction.

[0151] The vertical distance between the inner surface 25c of the case 2c and the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c decreases from right to left in FIG. 30. The movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c includes a first inclined portion 432c and a second inclined portion 433c. The first inclined portion 432c extends from the tip of the movable portion 43c to approximately the center, and the second inclined portion 433c extends from the right end of the first inclined portion 432c toward the bent portion 41c. The first inclined portion 432c and the second inclined portion 433c are inclined so as to approach the inner surface 25c of the case 2c toward the left in FIG. 30. In a front view, the angle (acute angle) formed between the first inclined portion 432c and the inner surface 25c is smaller than the angle (acute angle) formed between the second inclined portion 433c and the inner surface 25c. 30, the left side surface of the lower end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c is in contact with the second inclined portion 433c of the movable portion 43c. The left side surface of the advancing / retreating portion 56c extends substantially parallel to the second inclined portion 433c in the initial state in a front view.

[0152] The drive unit 52c is a generally rod-shaped part that extends rightward from the right end of the advance / retract unit 56c and protrudes rightward from the case 2c. In the example shown in Fig. 30, the advance / retract unit 56c and the drive unit 52c are in partial contact with the case 2c, thereby restricting further movement of the operation unit 5c to the right.

[0153] In connection device 1c, when drive unit 52c is pushed leftward, advancing / retreating unit 56c moves substantially linearly to the left in FIG. 30 along inner surface 25c while contacting inner surface 25c of case 2c and movable portion 43c of elastic member 4c inside case 2c. In the following description, the left-right direction in FIG. 30, which is the movement direction of advancing / retreating unit 56c, is also referred to as the "advancing / retreating direction." Furthermore, inner surface 25c of case 2c, which guides the movement of advancing / retreating unit 56c in the advancing / retreating direction, is also referred to as the "guide surface 25c."

[0154] The release portion 6c is a plate-like member having a generally inverted L shape and located to the left of the operation portion 5c. The release portion 6c is supported by the case 2c so as to be rotatable in a plane generally perpendicular to the thickness direction around a generally cylindrical rotation shaft 24c provided on the case 2c and extending in the thickness direction. The rotation shaft 24c is located to the left of and above the left end of the terminal portion 3c, which extends generally parallel to the left-right direction.

[0155] The release portion 6c includes a lower release portion 61c extending downward from the rotation shaft 24c and an upper release portion 62c extending rightward from the rotation shaft 24c (i.e., toward the advance / retract portion 56c of the operation portion 5c). The lower release portion 61c is located to the left of the left end of the terminal portion 3c and extends downward below the terminal portion 3c. The lower release portion 61c is located on the insertion path of the electric wire. The upper release portion 62c is located above the terminal portion 3c.

[0156] Next, the flow of connecting an electric wire to the connection device 1c will be described. First, in the initial state shown in Fig. 30, the operator brings a fingertip or the like into contact with the drive unit 52c of the operation unit 5c, moves the drive unit 52c leftward, and pushes it into the case 2c. As a result, the advance / retract part 56c moves from right to left in Fig. 30 (i.e., from one side to the other in a predetermined advance / retract direction) while contacting the guide surface 25c and the movable part 43c of the elastic member 4c.

[0157] As the operating unit 5c moves, as shown in Fig. 31, the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c is pushed downward by the advancing / retreating portion 56c and moves downward away from the terminal portion 3c. In the operating unit 5c moving as shown in Fig. 31, the restoring force vector 81c of the elastic member 4c acting on the first portion 513c is shifted to the right from the reference line 82c, which is an imaginary line connecting the first portion 513c and the second portion 514c. Therefore, a force acting to the right in Fig. 31 is acting on the advancing / retreating portion 56c. If the operator does not continue to push the drive unit 52c into the case 2c, the elastic member 4c and the operating unit 5c will return to the initial state shown in Fig. 30.

[0158] The first portion 513c is a portion of the operation unit 5c on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4c acts, specifically, a portion of the lower end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c that comes into contact with the elastic member 4c. In the state shown in FIG. 31, the first portion 513c is a portion of the left side surface of the lower end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c that comes into contact with the second inclined portion 433c of the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c. The second portion 514c is a portion of the operation unit 5c on which a reaction force against the restoring force occurs, specifically, the upper end of the advancing / retreating portion 56c that comes into contact with the guide surface 25c.

[0159] The operator pushes the operating unit 5c against the restoring force of the elastic member 4c until it reaches the unwired state shown in FIG. 32. In this unwired state, the restoring force vector 81c of the elastic member 4c acting on the first portion 513c substantially overlaps with the reference line 82c connecting the first portion 513c and the second portion 514c. In the unwired state, the first portion 513c is the lower end of the advancing / retracting portion 56c and contacts the first inclined portion 432c of the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c. Furthermore, the first inclined portion 432c is substantially parallel to the guide surface 25c at the position where it contacts the lower end of the advancing / retracting portion 56c. This balances the restoring force of the elastic member 4c and the reaction force generated in the operating unit 5c against the restoring force.

[0160] Therefore, neither the rightward nor leftward force acts on the advancing / retreating portion 56c. Therefore, even if the operator releases his / her finger from the drive unit 52c (i.e., even if the operator is not applying force to the operation unit 5c), the advancing / retreating position of the operation unit 5c is stably maintained in the unconnected state shown in FIG. 32. The state of the elastic member 4c is also stably maintained in the unconnected state (i.e., temporarily fixed). The unconnected state shown in FIG. 32 is a temporarily fixed state in which the elastic member 4c is temporarily fixed in a bent state. In this unconnected state, the left end of the operation unit 5c contacts the release upper portion 62c of the release unit 6c from the right side. The operation unit 5c of the connection device 1c includes only one first portion 513c to which the restoring force of the elastic member 4c acts and one second portion 514c to which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. This simplifies the structure of the connection device 1c.

[0161] In connection device 1c, operation unit 5c may be moved further to the left in the figure than in the state shown in Fig. 32. In this case, the shape of elastic member 4c remains almost unchanged from that shown in Fig. 32, and the restoring force of elastic member 4c and the reaction force acting on operation unit 5c against the restoring force remain balanced. Therefore, the position of operation unit 5c in the forward / backward direction and the state of elastic member 4c (i.e., the temporarily fastened state) are stably maintained.

[0162] In connection device 1c, similarly to connection device 1 shown in FIG. 14, operation unit 5c may be moved further leftward from the position shown in FIG. 32, and the position of operation unit 5c may be maintained in a state in which elastic member 4c is further bent. This structure may be achieved, for example, by slightly bending first inclined portion 432c of elastic member 4c slightly upward at a position slightly distal (i.e., leftward) from the contact point with advance / retract unit 56c in FIG. 32. In this case, restoring force vector 81c is inclined slightly leftward from reference line 82c, and the force acting on advance / retract unit 56c is directed leftward. That is, a force acting from elastic member 4c to advance / retract unit 56c to move operation unit 5c leftward acts. Furthermore, a force acting from elastic member 4c to advance / retract unit 56c in a direction to move operation unit 5c rightward and return it to its initial state does not act. Therefore, the position of the operation portion 5c is stably maintained, and the shape of the elastic member 4c in the state where it is separated from the terminal portion 3c can be stably maintained.

[0163] When the connection device 1c is in the unconnected state, as shown in Fig. 33, the electric wire 91 is inserted into the case 2c through the insertion hole 21c in a predetermined insertion direction, and is positioned between the terminal portion 3c and the unconnected elastic member 4c. The insertion direction of the electric wire 91 into the case 2c is substantially parallel to the left-right direction. The type and diameter of the electric wire 91 are the same as those described above.

[0164] The tip of the electric wire 91 directly contacts the lower releasing part 61c of the releasing part 6c inside the case 2c. In the example shown in Fig. 33, the right side surface of the lower releasing part 61c directly contacts the tip of the electric wire 91 and serves as a receiving surface 611c that extends from the tip to the periphery. The receiving surface 611c is located further back than the terminal part 3c and the movable part 43c of the elastic member 4c in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91, and extends to the periphery in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction of the electric wire 91.

[0165] The electric wire 91 is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction with its tip in contact with the receiving surface 611c of the lower release portion 61c. As a result, as shown in FIG. 34, the receiving surface 611c is pushed toward the rear in the insertion direction, and the release portion 6c rotates slightly clockwise in FIG. 34 around the rotation shaft 24c. As a result, the upper release portion 62c pushes the advance / retract portion 56c toward the right in FIG. 34. That is, the force generated by pushing the electric wire 91 is indirectly applied to the operating portion 5c via the release portion 6c, which is in direct contact with the electric wire 91. Then, the operating portion 5c moves slightly to the right, and the position of the operating portion 5c in the advance / retract direction is changed. The moving direction of the operating portion 5c is from the rear to the front in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91.

[0166] As a result, as shown in Fig. 34, the portion of the operating unit 5c that comes into contact with the elastic member 4c is changed from the lower end of the operating unit 5c to the left side of the lower end, and the portion of the elastic member 4c that comes into contact with the operating unit 5c is changed from the first inclined portion 432c to the second inclined portion 433c. Furthermore, the restoring force vector 81c is shifted to the right from the reference line 82c in Fig. 34, and a force acting to the right is applied to the advancing / retreating portion 56c due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4c. As a result, the operating unit 5c moves further to the right, and the elastic member 4c returns to its original state from the unconnected state.

[0167] Then, as shown in FIG. 35 , the elastic member 4c transitions to a connected state in which the wire 91 is clamped between the elastic member 4c and the terminal portion 3c, electrically and mechanically connecting the wire 91 and the terminal portion 3c. In other words, after the wire 91 is inserted into the connection device 1c, the connection is automatically established (i.e., without the operator operating the operation unit 5c using a tool other than the wire 91 or their fingers). The operator may recognize the transition to the connected state, for example, from vibrations or sounds generated when the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c presses the wire 91 against the terminal portion 3c. The vibrations or sounds are generated, for example, when one of the elastic member 4c, the wire 91, the terminal portion 3c, the operation unit 5c, and the case 2c collides with another member. The connection device 1c may employ various structures that promote or amplify the vibrations or sounds.

[0168] In the connected device 1c in the wired state, the position of the drive unit 52c of the operation unit 5c (i.e., the position in the forward / backward direction) is different from the position of the drive unit 52c in the unwired state. Therefore, by visually checking the position of the drive unit 52c, the worker can easily recognize that the connected device 1c has transitioned from the unwired state to the wired state. Similarly to the above, by visually checking the position of the drive unit 52c, the worker can also easily recognize that the connected device 1c is in the initial state. In other words, the drive unit 52c of the operation unit 5c is a visible indicator that indicates the state of the elastic member 4c.

[0169] When removing the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1c, for example, an operator brings a fingertip or the like into contact with the drive unit 52c of the operation unit 5c, moves the drive unit 52c leftward, and pushes it into the case 2c. When the operation unit 5c moves to the disconnected state shown in FIG. 33, as described above, the restoring force vector 81c (see FIG. 32) substantially overlaps with the reference line 82c, and the elastic member 4c is maintained in the disconnected state, spaced downward from the electric wire 91. This releases the clamping of the electric wire 91 by the elastic member 4c and the terminal portion 3c. The operator can easily remove the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1c by pulling the electric wire 91 out of the insertion hole 21c.

[0170] As described above, the connection device 1c to which the electric wire 91 is connected includes a case 2c, a conductive terminal portion 3c, an elastic member 4c, and an operation unit 5c. The terminal portion 3c is fixed to the case 2c. The elastic member 4c is attached to the case 2c and clamps the electric wire 91 by pressing it against the terminal portion 3c with its restoring force. The operation unit 5c applies force to the elastic member 4c to bend it from its initial state to an unconnected state and maintain it in the unconnected state. The operation unit 5c includes a first portion 513c on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4c acts and a second portion 514c on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. The vector of the restoring force is defined as a restoring force vector 81c, and a straight line connecting the first portion 513c and the second portion 514c is defined as a reference line 82c.

[0171] When the elastic member 4c is in the unconnected state, the restoring force vector 81c substantially overlaps with the reference line 82c, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit 5c and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4c in the unconnected state. Furthermore, when the electric wire 91 is inserted between the terminal portion 3c and the unconnected elastic member 4c, the position of the operation unit 5c is changed and the restoring force vector 81c deviates from the reference line 82c, and the elastic member 4c is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, and transitions to a connected state in which the electric wire 91 is clamped between the terminal portion 3c and the elastic member 4c.

[0172] By configuring connection device 1c as described above, there is no need to provide other structures such as a step for locking operation unit 5c in a disconnected state, which simplifies the structure of connection device 1c. Furthermore, unlike when operation unit 5c is locked to a step on case 2c, locking problems due to wear on the step can be prevented, and the life of connection device 1c can be extended.

[0173] As described above, in the connection device 1c, it is preferable that the position of the operation part 5c be maintained even when the elastic member 4c is further deflected in the unwired state. At this time, the force acting on the retractable part 56c due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4c is in the opposite direction to the direction that returns the operation part 5c to the wired state and the initial state. This allows the shape of the elastic member 4c to be more stably maintained when it is separated from the terminal part 3c.

[0174] In connection device 1c, case 2c preferably includes guide surface 25c extending linearly, and elastic member 4c extends along guide surface 25c. Furthermore, operation unit 5c preferably includes advancing / retreating unit 56c located between elastic member 4c and guide surface 25c, and adapted to move linearly in a predetermined advancing / retreating direction (left-right direction in FIG. 30 in the above example) while contacting elastic member 4c and guide surface 25c at first portion 513c and second portion 514c, respectively. The distance between elastic member 4c and guide surface 25c decreases from one side to the other in the advancing / retreating direction (from right to left in FIG. 30 in the above example). Preferably, when the elastic member 4c transitions to the unconnected state, the advancing / retreating portion 56c moves from one side to the other side in the advancing / retreating direction (to the left in FIG. 30 in the above example), thereby bending the elastic member 4c, and the elastic member 4c becomes approximately parallel to the guide surface 25c at the position where it contacts the first portion 513c. Then, the restoring force vector 81c substantially overlaps with the reference line 82c, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit 5c in the advancing / retreating direction and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4c in the unconnected state. Furthermore, preferably, when connecting the electric wire 91, the operation unit 5c moves from the other side to one side in the advancing / retreating direction (to the right in FIG. 30 in the above example), thereby deviating the restoring force vector 81c from the reference line 82c, and the elastic member 4c transitions from the unconnected state to the connected state due to the restoring force. This allows the elastic member 4c to be shifted to the unconnected state, maintained in the unconnected state, and shifted from the unconnected state to the connected state with a simple structure.

[0175] In the connection device 1c described above, when connecting the electric wire 91, a force is indirectly transmitted from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation unit 5c via the release unit 6c, causing the operation unit 5c to move from the other side to the one side in the advance / retract direction, and the restoring force vector 81c deviates from the reference line 82c. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a force may be directly transmitted from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation unit 5c, causing the operation unit 5c to move from the other side to the one side in the advance / retract direction. That is, in the connection device 1c, when connecting the electric wire 91, it is preferable that a force is directly or indirectly transmitted from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation unit 5c, causing the operation unit 5c to move from the other side to the one side in the advance / retract direction, causing the restoring force vector 81c to deviate from the reference line 82c. This allows automatic connection of the electric wire 91 by simply inserting the electric wire 91, thereby facilitating connection of the electric wire 91 to the connection device 1c.

[0176] In the connection device 1c, the movable portion 43c of the elastic member 4c is a wire contact portion that directly contacts the wire 91 in the connected state. Preferably, at least when the elastic member 4c transitions from the unconnected state to the connected state, the movement path of the wire contact portion does not overlap with the movement area of ​​the operation unit 5c. This prevents the wire contact portion of the elastic member 4c from coming into contact with the operation unit 5c and impeding the movement of the operation unit 5c.

[0177] In the connection device 1c, it is preferable that a part of the operation unit 5c (in the above example, the drive unit 52c) protrudes from the case 2c, so that an operator can easily operate the operation unit 5c by touching the drive unit 52c with a fingertip or the like.

[0178] It is preferable that the connection device 1c be provided with a visible indicator (in the above example, the driver 52c) that indicates the state of the elastic member 4c, thereby making it possible to easily and quickly recognize the state of the elastic member 4c.

[0179] The drive unit 52c may be located inside the case 2c when the elastic member 4c is in the wired state. In this case, erroneous operation of the operating unit 5c in the wired state can be prevented. As described above, the drive unit 52c protrudes from the case 2c when the elastic member 4c is in the unwired state. This prevents erroneous operation in the wired state, while allowing the operating unit 5c to be easily operated in the unwired state without using a tool such as a flathead screwdriver. Furthermore, by visually checking whether the drive unit 52c protrudes from the case 2c, it is possible to easily and quickly determine whether the elastic member 4c is in the unwired state.

[0180] In connection device 1c, elastic member 4c is preferably a leaf spring, which can further simplify the structure of connection device 1c.

[0181] Next, a connection device 1d according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 36 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the vicinity of an operation unit 5d of the connection device 1d. Fig. 36 shows the connection device 1d in an unconnected state.

[0182] Connection device 1d includes a case 2d, a terminal section 3d, an elastic member 4d, and an operation section 5d. In connection device 1d, the shapes of case 2d, terminal section 3d, elastic member 4d, and operation section 5d, as well as the movements of elastic member 4d and operation section 5d, differ from those of connection device 1 shown in Fig. 1, but the materials, functions, etc. are the same. Furthermore, connection device 1d may include two or more sets of terminal sections 3d, elastic members 4d, and operation sections 5d inside case 2d, similar to connection device 1.

[0183] The terminal portion 3d is a conductive, substantially plate-shaped member fixed to the case 2d. The terminal portion 3d is made of, for example, metal. The elastic member 4d is an elastically deformable member attached to the case 2d. The elastic member 4d is, for example, a substantially strip-shaped leaf spring. The elastic member 4d may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or may be made of an insulating material such as resin. The elastic member 4d has a shape bent at the center in the longitudinal direction into a substantially L-shape, a substantially V-shape, or a substantially U-shape.

[0184] Like the elastic member 4 described above, the elastic member 4d includes a bending portion 41d, a fixed portion 42d, and a movable portion 43d. The tip end (i.e., the lower end in FIG. 36) of the movable portion 43d is in contact with the terminal portion 3d from above. As a result, an insertion path for an electric wire, which will be described later, is closed inside an insertion hole 21d provided on the right side of the case 2d. The movable portion 43d is also in contact with the operating portion 5d. As will be described later, the movable portion 43d is pushed leftward by the operating portion 5d, thereby elastically deforming and bending, and moving upward away from the terminal portion 3d. When the leftward pressing force on the movable portion 43d is removed, the movable portion 43d returns to its original state due to a restoring force (i.e., elastically recovers).

[0185] The operation unit 5d includes a rotating unit 57d and a driving unit 52d. The rotating unit 57d is a substantially disk-shaped or cylindrical member centered on a central axis extending in the thickness direction. The rotating unit 57d is placed on a concave operation unit mounting portion 26d provided at the bottom of the case 2d inside the case 2d (i.e., inside the outer edge of the case 2d). An inner surface 261d of the operation unit mounting portion 26d is part of a substantially cylindrical surface. The inner surface 261d of the operation unit mounting portion 26d is substantially fan-shaped in a front view, and the central angle of the fan is, for example, approximately 135°. A guide surface 27d, which is an inclined surface that slopes upward as it goes leftward, is connected to the left end of the operation unit mounting portion 26d.

[0186] A notch 571d recessed toward the central axis is provided in one portion of the circumference of the rotating portion 57d, and a protrusion 572d protruding radially outward is provided in another portion of the circumference. In the example shown in Fig. 36, the notch 571d is located in the upper right portion of the rotating portion 57d. The protrusion 572d is located at the lower end of the rotating portion 57d. The shape of the protrusion 572d in a front view is approximately triangular.

[0187] The shape of the cutout portion 571d in a front view is generally rectangular. A cutout protrusion 573d is provided on the right edge of the cutout portion 571d (i.e., the edge located clockwise when viewed from the center of the cutout portion 571d) and protrudes from the outer radial end toward the inside of the cutout portion 571d (i.e., protrudes counterclockwise). The shape of the cutout protrusion 573d in a front view is generally triangular. A wire receiving portion 574d having a generally flat shape and extending in the thickness direction is provided on the left edge of the cutout portion 571d (i.e., the edge located counterclockwise when viewed from the center of the cutout portion 571d). The cutout portion 571d overlaps with the terminal portion 3d in the thickness direction and is located on the back side of the terminal portion 3d in FIG. 36 .

[0188] The driver 52d is a generally rod-shaped member that extends upward from the left end of the rotator 57d and protrudes upward from the case 2d. In the example shown in FIG. 36, the driver 52d is in partial contact with the case 2d, thereby restricting the rotator 57d from further rotating clockwise. From the initial state shown in FIG. 36, the rotator 57d can rotate counterclockwise along the inner surface 261d of the operation unit mounting portion 26d. The rotator 57d can also move leftward in FIG. 36 from the position shown in FIG. 36 along the guide surface 27d.

[0189] Next, the flow of connecting an electric wire to the connection device 1d will be described. First, in the initial state shown in Fig. 36, the worker brings a fingertip 93 or the like into contact with the tip of the drive unit 52d of the operation unit 5d and rotates the operation unit 5d counterclockwise. At this time, the rotation unit 57d rotates counterclockwise along the inner surface 261d of the operation unit mounting portion 26d.

[0190] 37, when the operating unit 5d rotates, the notched protrusion 573d of the rotating unit 57d comes into contact with the movable unit 43d of the elastic member 4d, pushing and moving the movable unit 43d diagonally upward to the left (i.e., in the direction toward the fixed unit 42d), which causes the elastic member 4d to bend, and the movable unit 43d moves upward away from the terminal unit 3d.

[0191] As shown in Figure 37, in the operating unit 5d that is rotating, the restoring force vector 81d of the elastic member 4d acting on the first portion 513d is shifted to the right from the reference line 82d, which is an imaginary line connecting the first portion 513d and the second portion 514d. As a result, a clockwise rotational moment acts on the rotating unit 57d, and unless the operator continues to apply force to the drive unit 52d of the operating unit 5d, the elastic member 4d and the operating unit 5d will return to the initial state shown in Figure 36. Note that the first portion 513d is the portion of the operating unit 5d on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4d acts, specifically, the tip of the notched protrusion 573d of the rotating unit 57d that comes into contact with the movable portion 43d of the elastic member 4d. The second portion 514d is a portion of the operation portion 5d where a reaction force against the restoring force occurs, specifically, the tip of the protrusion 572d of the rotating portion 57d that comes into contact with the inner surface 261d of the operation portion placing portion 26d.

[0192] The operator rotates the operation unit 5d counterclockwise against the restoring force of the elastic member 4d until the operation unit 5d reaches the disconnected state shown in Fig. 38. In this disconnected state, the restoring force vector 81d of the elastic member 4d acting on the first portion 513d substantially overlaps with the reference line 82d connecting the first portion 513d and the second portion 514d. This balances the restoring force of the elastic member 4d and the reaction force generated in the operation unit 5d against the restoring force.

[0193] Therefore, neither the clockwise rotation moment nor the counterclockwise rotation moment described above acts on the rotating portion 57d. Therefore, even if the operator removes his / her fingertip or the like from the driving portion 52d (i.e., even if the operator is not applying force to the operating portion 5d), the circumferential position (i.e., the rotational position) of the operating portion 5d is stably maintained in the unconnected state shown in FIG. 38. Furthermore, the state of the elastic member 4d is also stably maintained in the unconnected state (i.e., temporarily fixed). The unconnected state shown in FIG. 38 is a temporarily fixed state in which the elastic member 4d is temporarily fixed in a bent state. At this time, the electric wire receiving portion 574d of the operating portion 5d is positioned on the insertion path of the electric wire, which will be described later.

[0194] In this disconnected state, drive unit 52d of operation unit 5d contacts a protrusion provided on guide surface 27d of case 2d. This restricts the movement of operation unit 5d so that it does not rotate further counterclockwise. In connection device 1d, operation unit 5d has only one first portion 513d on which the restoring force of elastic member 4d acts and one second portion 514d on which a reaction force against the restoring force occurs. This simplifies the structure of connection device 1d.

[0195] In connection device 1d, similarly to connection device 1 shown in FIG. 14, operation unit 5d may be rotated further counterclockwise than the rotation position shown in FIG. 38, and the position of operation unit 5d may be maintained with elastic member 4d further deflected. This structure can be achieved, for example, by gently inclining guide surface 27d of case 2d in FIG. 38 (i.e., by making it closer to horizontal). In this case, restoring force vector 81d is inclined slightly to the left of reference line 82d, and the rotation moment acting on rotation unit 57d is in the counterclockwise direction. That is, a force from elastic member 4d acts on rotation unit 57d to rotate operation unit 5d counterclockwise. However, counterclockwise rotation of operation unit 5d is limited by contact of drive unit 52d with case 2d. Furthermore, no force from elastic member 4d acts on rotation unit 57d in a direction that rotates operation unit 5d clockwise and returns it to its initial state. Therefore, the position (that is, the rotational position) of the operation portion 5d is stably maintained, and the shape of the elastic member 4d in the state where it is separated from the terminal portion 3d can be stably maintained.

[0196] When the connection device 1d is in the unconnected state, as shown in Fig. 39, the electric wire 91 is inserted into the case 2d through the insertion hole 21d in a predetermined insertion direction and positioned between the terminal portion 3d and the unconnected elastic member 4d. The insertion direction of the electric wire 91 into the case 2d is an oblique direction inclined relative to the vertical and horizontal directions. The type and diameter of the electric wire 91 are the same as those described above.

[0197] The tip of the electric wire 91 directly contacts the electric wire receiving portion 574d of the operation unit 5d inside the case 2d. In the example shown in Fig. 39, the right side surface of the electric wire receiving portion 574d directly contacts the tip of the electric wire 91 and forms a receiving surface 575d that extends from the tip to the periphery. The receiving surface 575d is located further back than the unconnected elastic member 4d in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91 and extends to the periphery in a direction approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction. Note that the receiving surface 575d does not necessarily have to be a surface perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0198] The electric wire 91 is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction with its tip in contact with the receiving surface 575d of the electric wire receiving portion 574d. This directly transmits force from the electric wire 91 to the operating portion 5d. The receiving surface 575d is then pushed toward the rear in the insertion direction, and as shown in FIG. 40, the operating portion 5d is moved slightly to the left (i.e., toward the rear in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91) from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line. This causes the restoring force vector 81d to shift to the right in FIG. 40 from the reference line 82d, and a clockwise rotational moment acts on the rotating portion 57d due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4d. As a result, the operating portion 5d further rotates clockwise, and the elastic member 4d returns to its original state from the unconnected state.

[0199] Then, as shown in FIG. 41 , the elastic member 4d transitions to a connected state in which the wire 91 is clamped between the elastic member 4d and the terminal portion 3d, and the wire 91 and the terminal portion 3d are electrically and mechanically connected. In other words, after the wire 91 is inserted into the connection device 1d, the connection is automatically established (i.e., without the operator operating the operation unit 5d using a tool other than the wire 91 or their fingers). The operator may recognize the transition to the connected state, for example, from vibrations or sounds generated when the movable portion 43d of the elastic member 4d presses the wire 91 against the terminal portion 3d. The vibrations or sounds are generated, for example, when one of the elastic member 4d, the wire 91, the terminal portion 3d, the operation unit 5d, and the case 2d collides with another member. The connection device 1d may employ various structures that promote or amplify the vibrations or sounds.

[0200] In the connected device 1d in the wired state, the position of the drive unit 52d of the operation unit 5d is different from the position of the drive unit 52d in the unwired state. Therefore, by visually checking the position of the drive unit 52d, the worker can easily recognize that the connected device 1d has transitioned from the unwired state to the wired state. Similarly to the above, by visually checking the position of the drive unit 52d, the worker can also easily recognize that the connected device 1d is in the initial state. In other words, the drive unit 52d of the operation unit 5d is a visible indicator that indicates the state of the elastic member 4d.

[0201] When removing the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1d, for example, an operator pushes down the drive unit 52d of the operation unit 5d using a tool such as a fingertip or a flathead screwdriver. This causes the operation unit 5d to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 41. When the operation unit 5d rotates to the unconnected state shown in FIG. 39, as described above, the restoring force vector 81d (see FIG. 38) substantially overlaps with the reference line 82d, and the elastic member 4d is maintained in the unconnected state, spaced upward from the electric wire 91. This releases the electric wire 91 from the clamping by the elastic member 4d and the terminal portion 3d. The operator can easily remove the electric wire 91 from the connection device 1d by pulling the electric wire 91 out of the insertion hole 21d.

[0202] As described above, the connection device 1d to which the electric wire 91 is connected includes a case 2d, a conductive terminal portion 3d, an elastic member 4d, and an operation unit 5d. The terminal portion 3d is fixed to the case 2d. The elastic member 4d is attached to the case 2d and clamps the electric wire 91 by pressing it against the terminal portion 3d using a restoring force. The operation unit 5d applies a force to the elastic member 4d to bend it from its initial state to an unconnected state and maintain it in the unconnected state. The operation unit 5d includes a first portion 513d on which the restoring force of the elastic member 4d acts and a second portion 514d on which a reaction force against the restoring force is generated. The vector of the restoring force is defined as a restoring force vector 81d, and a straight line connecting the first portion 513d and the second portion 514d is defined as a reference line 82d.

[0203] When the elastic member 4d is in the unconnected state, the restoring force vector 81d substantially overlaps with the reference line 82d, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit 5d and maintaining the state of the elastic member 4d in the unconnected state. Furthermore, when the electric wire 91 is inserted between the terminal portion 3d and the unconnected elastic member 4d, the position of the operation unit 5d is changed and the restoring force vector 81d deviates from the reference line 82d, and the elastic member 4d is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, transitioning to a connected state in which the electric wire 91 is clamped between the terminal portion 3d and the elastic member 4d.

[0204] By configuring connection device 1d as described above, it is not necessary to provide other structures such as a step portion for locking operation unit 5d in the disconnected state or a state release portion for releasing the locked state of operation unit 5d, thereby simplifying the structure of connection device 1d. Furthermore, unlike when operation unit 5d is locked to a step portion or the like of case 2d, locking failure due to wear of the step portion or the like can be prevented, thereby realizing a longer lifespan of connection device 1d.

[0205] As described above, in the connection device 1d, it is preferable that the position of the operation unit 5d be maintained even when the elastic member 4d is further deflected in the unwired state. At this time, the force acting on the rotation unit 57d due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4d is in the opposite direction to the direction that returns the operation unit 5d to the wired state and the initial state. This allows the shape of the elastic member 4d to be more stably maintained when it is separated from the terminal portion 3d.

[0206] In connection device 1d, operation unit 5d preferably includes a substantially disk-shaped or cylindrical rotating unit 57d having a notch 571d provided in one portion of its circumference and a protrusion 572d provided in another portion of its circumference. Case 2d is provided with operation unit mounting portion 26d having a concave inner surface 261d that is a part of a substantially cylindrical surface. Rotating portion 57d is placed on operation unit mounting portion 26d and contacts elastic member 4d at first portion 513d that is part of notch 571d (notch protrusion 573d in the above example), and contacts inner surface 261d of operation unit mounting portion 26d at second portion 514d that is protrusion 572d. Preferably, when the elastic member 4d transitions to the unconnected state, the rotating portion 57d rotates in a first rotation direction (counterclockwise in the above example), thereby bending the elastic member 4d, and the restoring force vector 81d substantially overlaps with the reference line 82d, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the rotating portion 57d and maintaining the elastic member 4d in the unconnected state. Furthermore, preferably, when the electric wire 91 is connected, the rotating portion 57d is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91 (to the left in FIG. 40 in the above example), thereby causing the restoring force vector 81d to deviate from the reference line 82d, and the restoring force rotates the rotating portion 57d in a second rotation direction (clockwise in the above example) opposite to the first rotation direction, thereby transitioning the elastic member 4d from the unconnected state to the connected state. This allows the elastic member 4d to transition to the unconnected state, maintain the unconnected state, and transition from the unconnected state to the connected state with a simple structure.

[0207] In the connection device 1d described above, when connecting the electric wire 91, a force is transmitted directly from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation unit 5d, causing the rotation unit 57d to move further inward in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91, and the restoring force vector 81d to deviate from the reference line 82d. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a force may be transmitted directly from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation unit 5d, causing the rotation unit 57d to move further inward in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91. That is, in the connection device 1d, when connecting the electric wire 91, it is preferable that a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire 91 to the operation unit 5d, causing the rotation unit 57d to move further inward in the insertion direction of the electric wire 91, causing the restoring force vector 81d to deviate from the reference line 82d. This realizes automatic wiring in which the electric wire 91 is connected simply by an operation such as inserting the electric wire 91, thereby facilitating the connection of the electric wire 91 to the connection device 1d.

[0208] As described above, when connecting the electric wire 91, it is preferable that the inserted electric wire 91 directly contacts the operation part 5d to change the position of the operation part 5d. This makes it easy to transmit the force that pushes the electric wire 91 to the operation part 5d, which facilitates automatic wiring of the electric wire 91. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a portion of the elastic member 4d that comes into contact with the electric wire 91, the shape of the elastic member 4d can be simplified.

[0209] As described above, the operation unit 5d preferably includes a wire receiving portion 574d that directly contacts the tip of the electric wire 91. The wire receiving portion 574d also preferably includes a receiving surface 575d that spreads out from the tip of the electric wire 91. This allows the force that pushes the electric wire 91 to be efficiently transmitted to the operation unit 5d.

[0210] In the connection device 1d, the movable portion 43d of the elastic member 4d is a wire contact portion that directly contacts the wire 91 in the connected state. Preferably, at least when the elastic member 4d transitions from the unconnected state to the connected state, the movement path of the wire contact portion does not overlap with the movement area of ​​the operation unit 5d. This prevents the wire contact portion of the elastic member 4d from coming into contact with the operation unit 5d and impeding the movement of the operation unit 5d.

[0211] In the connection device 1d, it is preferable that a part of the operation unit 5d (in the above example, the drive unit 52d) protrudes from the case 2d, so that an operator can easily operate the operation unit 5d by touching the drive unit 52d with a fingertip or the like.

[0212] The connection device 1d is preferably provided with a visible identification unit (in the above example, the drive unit 52d) that indicates the state of the elastic member 4d, thereby making it possible to easily and quickly recognize the state of the elastic member 4d.

[0213] The drive unit 52d may be configured to protrude from the case 2d when the elastic member 4d is in an unwired state, and to be located within the case 2d when the elastic member 4d is in a wired state. In this case, the operating unit 5d can be easily operated without using a tool such as a flathead screwdriver in the unwired state. Also, in the wired state, erroneous operation of the operating unit 5d can be prevented. Furthermore, by visually checking whether the drive unit 52d protrudes from the case 2d, it is possible to easily and quickly determine whether the elastic member 4d is in an unwired state.

[0214] In connection device 1d, elastic member 4d is preferably a leaf spring, which can further simplify the structure of connection device 1d.

[0215] The above-described connection devices 1, 1a to 1d can be modified in various ways.

[0216] For example, in the connection devices 1, 1a to 1d, the elastic members 4, 4a to 4d are not limited to leaf springs, and may have other structures (for example, helical springs).

[0217] In the connection device 1, as described above, the drive unit 52 of the operation unit 5 functions as the identifier, but another part of the operation unit 5, or a part other than the operation unit 5, may be the visible identifier that indicates the state of the elastic member 4. Similarly, in the connection devices 1a to 1d, a part different from the above example may be the identifier. Note that the identifier may be omitted in the connection devices 1, 1a to 1d.

[0218] 22, in connection device 1, the connection of electric wire 91 does not necessarily have to be performed by the above-described automatic wiring, but may instead be performed by, for example, an operator touching operation unit 5 with a fingertip, a tool, or the like and moving operation unit 5. Specifically, when an operator slightly presses drive unit 52 of operation unit 5 on the right side of FIG. 9 to the right with a fingertip, restoring force vector 81 shifts leftward from reference line 82, as in FIG. 10, and a clockwise rotational moment acts on cam portion 51 due to the restoring force of elastic member 4. As a result, even if the operator does not apply any more force to drive unit 52, operation unit 5 rotates clockwise, and connection device 1 transitions to the connection state shown in FIG. 12.

[0219] In connection device 1b, in a similar manner, an operator may touch elastic member 4b shown in FIG. 27 with a fingertip, a tool, or the like to slightly deform elastic member 4b, thereby rotating operation unit 5b clockwise from the unconnected state shown in FIG. 27 to the connected state shown in FIG. 29. In connection device 1c, in a similar manner, an operator may touch release unit 6c shown in FIG. 33 with a fingertip, a tool, or the like to slightly rotate release unit 6c clockwise, thereby moving operation unit 5c from the unconnected state shown in FIG. 33 to the right, thereby transitioning to the connected state shown in FIG. 35. In connection device 1d, in a similar manner, an operator may touch operation unit 5d shown in FIG. 39 with a fingertip, a tool, or the like to slightly move operation unit 5d to the left, thereby rotating operation unit 5d clockwise from the unconnected state shown in FIG. 39 to the connected state shown in FIG. 41.

[0220] In connection device 1, operation unit 5 does not necessarily have to protrude from case 2, and operation unit 5 may be entirely disposed within case 2. The same applies to connection devices 1a to 1d.

[0221] In connection device 1, the movement path of electric wire contact portion 45 of elastic member 4 may overlap in the thickness direction with the movement area of ​​operation unit 5. Furthermore, elastic member 4 does not need to come into direct contact with connected electric wires 91, and may come into indirect contact with electric wires 91 via other members or the like. The same applies to connection devices 1a to 1d.

[0222] In connection device 1, the shape of receiving surface 531 of wire receiving portion 53 may be changed in various ways. Furthermore, wires 91 inserted into case 2 do not necessarily have to contact operation unit 5 at their tips, but may contact operation unit 5 at other locations (for example, a coated portion or a crimp terminal) as in connection device 1a. Wires 91 do not necessarily have to contact operation unit 5 directly, but may contact operation unit 5 indirectly via other members such as elastic member 4 as in connection device 1b, thereby changing the position of operation unit 5. Note that wire receiving portion 53 may be omitted in operation unit 5. The same applies to wire receiving portion 44b of connection device 1b and wire receiving portion 574d of connection device 1d.

[0223] In connection device 1, the direction of rotation of operation unit 5 when transitioning from the initial state to the unconnected state and the direction of rotation of operation unit 5 when transitioning from the unconnected state to the connected state do not necessarily have to be opposite, and may be the same. Furthermore, when transitioning from the unconnected state to the connected state, operation unit 5 does not necessarily have to rotate; for example, as in connection device 1c, elastic member 4 may transition from the unconnected state to the connected state by sliding operation unit 5 sideways, etc.

[0224] The above-described connection devices 1, 1a to 1d may be used to connect electric wires in various devices. For example, the connection device 1 may be used as a relay socket or an operation switch.

[0225] The configurations in the above-described embodiment and each modification may be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0226] While the invention has been particularly depicted and described, it should be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative and not restrictive, and that numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0227] 1, 1a~1d Connected devices Cases 2, 2a to 2d 3,3a~3d terminal section 4, 4a to 4d Elastic member 5,5a~5d Operation section 24, 24a, 24b Rotation axis 25c guide surface 26d Operation unit resting part 261d (Inner surface of the operating unit mounting portion) 44b Wire receiving part 45 Wire contact part 46b Release part 51, 51a, 51b Cam section 52 Drive unit 53,574d Wire receiving part 54, 54a, 54b bearings 55a Identification section 56c Advancement and retreat section 57d Notch 572d Protrusion 81, 81a~81d Restoring force vector 82, 82a~82d Reference line 91 Electric wire 431b Receiving surface 513,513a~513d 1st part 514,514a~514d 2nd part 531,575d Receiving surface

Claims

1. A connection device to which an electric wire is connected, Case and a conductive terminal portion fixed to the case; an elastic member attached to the case, which uses a restoring force to press the electric wire against the terminal portion and hold the electric wire; an operating unit that applies force to the elastic member to deflect it from an initial state to a non-wired state and maintains it in the non-wired state; Equipped with The operation unit includes: a first portion on which the restoring force of the elastic member acts; a second portion where a reaction force against the restoring force occurs; Equipped with The vector of the restoring force is defined as a restoring force vector, and a straight line connecting the first portion and the second portion is defined as a reference line, when the elastic member is in the unwired state, the restoring force vector substantially overlaps with the reference line, and the restoring force and the reaction force are balanced, thereby maintaining the position of the operation unit and maintaining the state of the elastic member in the unwired state; When the electric wire is inserted between the terminal portion and the elastic member in the unconnected state, the position of the operating portion is changed and the restoring force vector deviates from the reference line, and the elastic member is restored from the unconnected state by the restoring force, transitioning to a connected state in which the electric wire is clamped between the terminal portion and the elastic member.

2. 2. The connection device according to claim 1, Even when the elastic member is further bent in the unconnected state, the position of the operating portion is maintained.

3. 3. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, the operating unit includes a cam portion that rotates around a rotation axis, the cam portion contacts the elastic member at the first portion and contacts the rotation shaft at the bearing that is the second portion, When the elastic member transitions to the unwired state, the cam portion rotates, increasing the distance between the first portion and the rotation axis, causing the elastic member to bend, and the restoring force vector roughly overlaps with the reference line, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the operating portion and maintaining the state of the elastic member in the unwired state.

4. The connection device according to claim 3, When connecting the electric wires, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wires to the operating unit, causing the position of the operating unit to change and the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line.

5. The connection device according to claim 4, When the electric wire is connected, the inserted electric wire comes into direct contact with the operating portion and changes the position of the operating portion.

6. The connection device according to claim 5, the operating portion includes a wire receiving portion that directly contacts the tip of the wire, The wire receiving portion has a receiving surface that extends from the tip of the wire to the periphery.

7. The connection device according to claim 4, When connecting the electric wire, the inserted electric wire directly contacts the elastic member and deforms the elastic member, thereby applying force to the operating unit via the elastic member and changing the position of the operating unit.

8. The connection device according to claim 7, The elastic member is a wire receiving portion that directly contacts the tip of the wire; a release portion extending from the wire receiving portion toward the operation portion; Equipped with The wire receiving portion has a receiving surface that extends from the tip of the wire to the periphery, When the receiving surface is pressed by the electric wire toward the rear in the wire insertion direction, the elastic member is deformed, and the release portion comes into contact with the operating portion to apply a force that rotates the cam portion.

9. 3. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, the case has a guide surface extending linearly; The elastic member extends along the guide surface, the operation unit includes an advancing / retreating unit that is positioned between the elastic member and the guide surface and that moves linearly in a predetermined advancing / retreating direction while contacting the elastic member and the guide surface at the first portion and the second portion, respectively; the distance between the elastic member and the guide surface decreases from one side to the other side in the advancing / retracting direction, When the elastic member transitions to the unwired state, the advancing / retreating portion moves from one side to the other side in the advancing / retreating direction, thereby bending the elastic member, and the elastic member becomes approximately parallel to the guide surface at the position where it contacts the first portion, and the restoring force vector approximately overlaps with the reference line, so that the position of the operation portion in the advancing / retreating direction is maintained and the state of the elastic member is maintained in the unwired state, When connecting the electric wire, the operating part moves from the other side to the one side in the forward / backward direction, causing the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line, and the restoring force causes the elastic member to transition from the unconnected state to the connected state.

10. The connection device according to claim 9, When connecting the electric wire, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire to the operating unit, causing the operating unit to move from the other side to the one side in the forward / backward direction, and the restoring force vector deviates from the reference line.

11. 3. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, the operating unit includes a substantially disk-shaped or cylindrical rotating unit having a notch in one part of its circumferential direction and a protrusion in another part of its circumferential direction, The case is provided with a recessed operation unit mounting portion whose inner surface is a part of a substantially cylindrical surface, the rotating unit is placed on the operation unit mounting portion, and contacts the elastic member at the first portion which is a part of the notch portion, and contacts the inner surface of the operation unit mounting portion at the second portion which is the protrusion portion; When the elastic member transitions to the unwired state, the rotating unit rotates in a first rotation direction, causing the elastic member to bend, and the restoring force vector substantially overlaps with the reference line, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the rotating unit and maintaining the state of the elastic member in the unwired state, When the electric wire is connected, the rotating part is moved toward the rear in the insertion direction of the electric wire, causing the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line, and the restoring force causes the rotating part to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and the elastic member transitions from the unconnected state to the connected state.

12. The connection device according to claim 11, When connecting the electric wire, a force is transmitted directly or indirectly from the inserted electric wire to the operating unit, causing the rotating unit to move toward the back in the insertion direction of the electric wire, and the restoring force vector to deviate from the reference line.

13. 13. A connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the elastic member includes a wire contact portion that directly contacts the wire in the connected state, At least when the elastic member transitions from the non-connected state to the connected state, the movement path of the wire contact portion does not overlap with the movement area of ​​the operation portion.

14. 14. A connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, A part of the operating portion protrudes from the case.

15. 15. A connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, When the elastic member is in the unconnected state, a part of the operation portion protrudes from the case, When the elastic member is in the wired state, the portion of the operating portion is located inside the case.

16. 16. A connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, A visible indicator is provided to indicate the state of the elastic member.

17. 17. A connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, The elastic member is a leaf spring.

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