Terminal covers and terminal assemblies

Abstract

To provide a terminal cover and a terminal assembly capable of suppressing complication of work.SOLUTION: A terminal cover 10 applied to a terminal assembly 1 includes: a body portion 20; and a lid portion 30 openable and closable with respect to the body portion 20. The body portion 20 includes locking portions 110 that are located on side walls 20a and 20b and can lock the lid portion 30. The cover 30 includes: locking object portions 120 that protrude outward in a width direction Y from side walls 30a and 30b extending along the side walls 20a and 20b; and protection walls 130 that cover outer wall surfaces of the locking object portions 120. The protection wall 130 has an operation portion 210 provided on a tip side, and being elastically deformable to the outside outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with the locking object portion 120 when the operation portion 210 is operated outward in the width direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal cover and a terminal assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Terminals of electrical components mounted on vehicles such as automobiles may be provided with insulating terminal covers to protect fastening portions, and the terminal covers may have openable / closable portions. Furthermore, the openable / closable portions may be provided with a locking mechanism. Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a technology related to such a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is a locking part that engages with a box body and a cover body when the box body and the cover body are assembled. The locking mechanism has a contact surface provided on either the box body or the cover body that contacts the side wall of the other, and a protrusion provided on the contact surface that prevents the other side wall from expanding outward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-009422 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a terminal cover having the above-described locking mechanism is attached to the terminal of an electrical component, fastening and maintenance work becomes complicated, which may reduce work efficiency. Therefore, there is a need for a terminal cover and a terminal assembly that can reduce the complexity of work.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a terminal cover and a terminal assembly that can reduce the complexity of the work involved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a terminal cover according to the present invention comprises a main body portion enclosed by a side wall of a main body portion and capable of accommodating terminals connected to a conductive wiring material inside the main body portion, the main body portion having an opening formed therein through which a portion of the terminal is exposed when the terminal is accommodated therein, and a lid portion capable of opening and closing the opening, the main body portion having a locking portion located on the side wall of the main body portion and capable of locking the lid portion, the lid portion having a lid portion side wall extending along the side wall of the main body portion in a closed state in which the lid portion closes the opening of the main body portion, a locked portion protruding from the lid portion side wall to the outside opposite to the side on which the locking portion is located in a width direction intersecting with the extending direction of the lid portion side wall, and the locked portion being locked by the locking portion in the closed state, and a protective wall protruding outward from the lid portion side wall and formed at a position covering the outside of the locked portion, the protective wall having an operating portion provided on a tip side thereof, and being elastically deformable outward in conjunction with the locked portion when the operating portion is operated outward. the engaged portion extends from the lid portion sidewall toward the main body portion in a height direction intersecting with the width direction from the lid portion sidewall in the closed state, and has a base end supported on the lid portion sidewall, and a tip end located on the main body portion side; the protective wall extends along the width direction from a range where the protective wall and the engaged portion can elastically deform outward in cooperation with each other, and has a base end extending along the height direction toward the main body portion in the closed state and supported on the lid portion sidewall, and a tip end located on the main body portion side among the ends extending along the height direction in the closed state, and is formed obliquely outward in the width direction from the base end to the tip end; and in a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the height direction, a distance from a fulcrum located at the base end of the engaged portion to an operating force point located on the operating portion provided at the tip end of the protective wall is longer than a distance from the fulcrum to a tip end of the engaged portion. It is characterized by:

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a terminal assembly according to the present invention includes a terminal connected to a conductive wiring material, a main body portion that can accommodate the terminal inside surrounded by a side wall of the main body portion and has an opening that exposes a part of the terminal when the terminal is accommodated therein, and a terminal cover that has a lid portion that can open and close the opening, wherein the main body portion has a locking portion that is located on the side wall of the main body portion and can lock the lid portion, and the lid portion has a locking portion that can lock the lid portion when in a closed state in which the lid portion closes the opening of the main body portion. The device has a lid sidewall extending along the sidewall of the main body, a locked portion that protrudes from the lid sidewall to the outside, opposite to the side on which the locking portion is located, in a width direction that intersects with the extending direction of the lid sidewall, and is locked by the locking portion in the closed state, and a protective wall that protrudes to the outside from the lid sidewall and is formed in a position that covers the outside of the locked portion, the protective wall having an operating portion provided on a tip side, and that is elastically deformable outward in conjunction with the locked portion when the operating portion is operated toward the outside. the engaged portion extends from the lid portion sidewall toward the main body portion in a height direction intersecting with the width direction from the lid portion sidewall in the closed state, and has a base end supported on the lid portion sidewall, and a tip end located on the main body portion side; the protective wall extends along the width direction from a range where the protective wall and the engaged portion can elastically deform outward in cooperation with each other, and has a base end extending along the height direction toward the main body portion in the closed state and supported on the lid portion sidewall, and a tip end located on the main body portion side among the ends extending along the height direction in the closed state, and is formed obliquely outward in the width direction from the base end to the tip end; and in a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the height direction, a distance from a fulcrum located at the base end of the engaged portion to an operating force point located on the operating portion provided at the tip end of the protective wall is longer than a distance from the fulcrum to a tip end of the engaged portion. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The terminal cover and the terminal assembly according to the present invention have the advantage of being able to suppress the complexity of the work involved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal assembly including a terminal cover according to an embodiment, showing a state in which a lid portion is closed relative to a main body portion. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal assembly including a terminal cover according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the cover is open relative to the main body. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a terminal assembly including a terminal cover according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial top view of a terminal assembly including a terminal cover according to the embodiment, and is a view for explaining a locking portion, a locked portion, and a protective wall. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view taken along the width direction of a terminal assembly including a terminal cover according to an embodiment, and is a view for explaining a locking portion, a locked portion, and a protective wall. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the lid according to the embodiment, and is a view for explaining the locked portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the main body and the cover according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the main body and the cover according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] The terminal cover 10 and terminal assembly 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 accommodate a terminal T of a wiring material W used to connect various devices installed in a vehicle and a mating member P connected to the terminal T, and can protect the fastening portion between the terminal T and the mating member P.

[0012] The terminal assembly 1 includes a terminal T connected to a wiring material W and a terminal cover 10 capable of accommodating the terminal T connected to the wiring material W. The terminal cover 10 also includes a main body 20 having an opening 20f formed therein that exposes a portion of the terminal T when the terminal T is accommodated therein, and a lid 30 that can open and close the opening 20f. The terminal cover 10 also includes a locking mechanism 100 that includes a locking portion 110 provided on the main body 20 and capable of locking the lid 30, a locked portion 120 provided on the lid 30 and locked to the locking portion 110, and a protective wall 130 provided on the lid 30 that prevents unintended external force from being applied to the locked portion 120. In addition, the terminal cover 10 is configured to include an operating section 210 as an unlocking mechanism 200, which is provided on the protective wall 130 and prevents the opening operation of the lid section 30 (the operation of changing from a closed state in which the lid section 30 closes the opening 20f of the main body section 20 to an open state in which the lid section 30 does not close the opening 20f of the main body section 20) from becoming complicated.

[0013] The wiring material W is, for example, an insulated electric wire in which a core wire made of a bundle of multiple conductive metal wires is covered with an insulating covering portion. Note that the wiring material W may also be a bundle of multiple insulated electric wires. Furthermore, the wiring material W may also be an insulated metal rod in which a conductive metal rod is covered with an insulating covering portion.

[0014] The terminal T is, for example, a round terminal made of a conductive metal material. The terminal T is provided at the end of the wiring material W, and a mating member P is attached to the terminal T, thereby electrically connecting the devices.

[0015] The mating member P is, for example, a fastening member made of a conductive metal material and used to connect each device to the wiring material W. More specifically, the mating member P is, for example, a stud bolt capable of fastening a connection member provided on a device, such as a bus bar of an electrical junction box, a terminal fastened to a battery post, or a terminal of an inverter, to a terminal T of the wiring material W. When the stud bolt is attached to the terminal T, the terminal T is fixed using a fastening member such as a nut N.

[0016] The terminal cover 10 has a configuration that can prevent the operation from becoming complicated by applying an operating portion 210 to the protective wall 130 as an unlocking mechanism 200 that assists in opening the lid portion 30. Each component of the terminal cover 10 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

[0017] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." The axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the extension direction of the wiring material W held in the terminal cover 10, the depth direction of the main body 20 of the terminal cover 10, etc. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the surface on which the terminal cover 10 is installed, among the structural surfaces of each device on which the terminal cover 10 is installed. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description will be described as directions when the terminal assembly 1 is assembled to the mating member P.

[0018] Furthermore, the tip side in the axial direction X typically corresponds to the side where the terminals T stored in the terminal cover 10 are connected to the mating member P, and the base side in the axial direction X typically corresponds to the side where the terminals T stored in the terminal cover 10 are connected to the wiring material W. Furthermore, the upper side in the height direction Z corresponds to the side where the cover portion 30 is located in the closed state, and the lower side in the height direction Z corresponds to the side where the main body portion 20 is located in the closed state.

[0019] The main body 20 includes main body side walls (hereinafter simply referred to as side walls) 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, and a bottom 20e. The main body 20 is formed integrally with the side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d and the bottom 20e, and accommodates a terminal T connected to a conductive wiring material W in an accommodation space 40 formed by each of the walls.

[0020] The side walls 20a, 20b are wall portions that extend along the axial direction X and the height direction Z, and whose thickness direction is the width direction Y. The side walls 20a, 20b are positioned opposite each other with a gap in between along the width direction Y. The side walls 20a, 20b are formed to have substantially the same shape.

[0021] The side wall 20c is a wall portion having a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the height direction Z, with the axial direction X being the plate thickness direction, while the side wall 20d is a wall portion extending along the width direction Y and the height direction Z, with the axial direction X being the plate thickness direction. The side walls 20c and 20d are located between the side walls 20a and 20b in the width direction Y. Therefore, both ends of the side wall 20c in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 20a and 20b located on the tip side in the axial direction X, and both ends of the side wall 20d in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 20a and 20b located on the base side in the axial direction X. The side wall 20d also includes a wiring material insertion opening 20h that forms a hole F through which the wiring material W can be inserted in a closed state (see FIG. 3).

[0022] The bottom portion 20e is a wall portion that extends along the width direction Y and the axial direction X, and whose thickness direction is the height direction Z. The bottom portion 20e is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and is located between the side walls 20a and 20b in the width direction Y. Therefore, both ends of the bottom portion 20e in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 20a and 20b, respectively. The bottom portion 20e is also located on the base end side in the axial direction X of the main body portion 20. Therefore, the end of the bottom portion 20e located on the base end side in the axial direction X is connected to the end of the side wall 20d. In addition to the opening 20f located on the opposite side of the bottom portion 20e, the main body portion 20 forms a mating member insertion opening 20g located on the bottom 20e side and on the tip end side in the axial direction X.

[0023] The main body 20 includes side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d and a bottom 20e that define an accommodating space 40. The accommodating space 40 is a space in which the terminal T is located.

[0024] The terminal T accommodated in the accommodation space 40 includes a first connection portion T1 having an insertion hole Ta for inserting the shaft portion Pa of a mating member P as a connection partner, and a second connection portion T2 connected to a wiring material W (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the accommodation space 40 is divided into a first accommodation space 41 located at the tip end in the axial direction X and accommodating the first connection portion T1 of the terminal T, and a second accommodation space 42 located at the base end in the axial direction X and accommodating the second connection portion T2 of the terminal T. The opening 20f corresponding to the accommodation space 40 is divided into a first opening 20fa corresponding to the first accommodation space 41 and a second opening 20fb corresponding to the second accommodation space 42. The mating member insertion opening 20g is located facing the first accommodation space 41, and the wiring material insertion opening 20h is located facing the second accommodation space 42. Therefore, the first storage space 41 is formed by the end portions of the side walls 20a and 20b located on the tip side in the axial direction X and the side wall 20c, and the second storage space 42 is formed by the end portions of the side walls 20a and 20b located on the base side in the axial direction X, the side wall 20d, and the bottom 20e.

[0025] The lid 30 includes lid side walls (hereinafter simply referred to as side walls) 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, and a top surface 30e. The lid 30 is formed by integrating the side walls 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d with the top surface 30e.

[0026] The side walls 30a, 30b are wall portions that extend in the axial direction X and the height direction Z, and whose thickness direction is the width direction Y. The side walls 30a, 30b are positioned opposite each other with a gap in between along the width direction Y, and extend along the side walls 20a, 20b in the closed state. The side walls 30a, 30b are formed to have substantially the same shape.

[0027] The side wall 30c is a wall portion having a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the height direction Z, with the axial direction X being the plate thickness direction. The side wall 30d is a wall portion extending along the width direction Y and the height direction Z, with the axial direction X being the plate thickness direction. The side walls 30c, 30d are located between the side walls 30a, 30b in the width direction Y and extend along the side walls 20c, 20d in the closed state. Therefore, both ends of the side wall 30c in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 30a, 30b located at the tip side in the axial direction X, and both ends of the side wall 30d in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 30a, 30b located at the base side in the axial direction X. The side wall 30d is also configured to include a wiring material insertion opening 30h that forms a hole F through which the wiring material W can be inserted in the closed state (see FIG. 3).

[0028] The top surface 30e is a wall portion that, in the closed state, extends along the width direction Y and the axial direction X, and whose thickness direction is the height direction Z. Both ends of the top surface 30e in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 30a and 30b, respectively, and both ends of the top surface 30e in the axial direction X are connected to the ends of the side walls 30c and 30d, respectively.

[0029] 1 to 3, the lid portion 30 according to this embodiment includes a first lid portion 31 that can open and close a first opening 20fa corresponding to the first housing space 41, and a second lid portion 32 that can open and close a second opening 20fb corresponding to the second housing space 42. Therefore, the first lid portion 31 is formed by side walls 30a, 30b, an end portion of the top surface 30e located on the tip side in the axial direction X, and a side wall 30c. The second lid portion 32 is formed by side walls 30a, 30b, an end portion of the top surface 30e located on the base side in the axial direction X, and a side wall 30d.

[0030] The first lid portion 31 is located at the tip end of the second lid portion 32 in the axial direction X, and is rotatably supported relative to the second lid portion 32 via a hinge H1 extending along the width direction Y (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Furthermore, the first lid portion 31 is locked to the second lid portion 32 via a locking mechanism 51, thereby being held in a position that opens the first opening 20fa of the main body portion 20. The first lid portion 31 is locked to the side walls 20a, 20b via a locking mechanism 100, thereby being held in a position that closes the first opening 20fa of the main body portion 20. The first lid portion 31 opens the first opening 20fa of the main body portion 20 when the locking relationship established by the locking mechanism 100 is released via a lock release mechanism 200.

[0031] The second cover 32 is located on the side wall 20b and is rotatably supported relative to the main body 20 via a hinge H2 extending along the axial direction X. Furthermore, the second cover 32 is retained in a position that closes the second opening 20fb by being locked to the side wall 20a via a locking mechanism 52. When the second cover 32 is retained in this position, it is fixed to the main body 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , the locking mechanism 51 includes locking holes 33 provided in the top surface 30e of the first cover 31 and locking pieces 34 supported on the outer wall surface of the second cover 32 so as to correspond to each locking hole 33. A pair of the locking holes 33 and the locking pieces 34 is provided on each of the first cover 31 and the second cover 32. The locking holes 33 open along the width direction Y. Meanwhile, the locking pieces 34 extend along the width direction Y and the height direction Z and are formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with the axial direction X as the plate thickness direction. The locking pieces 34 each include a locking portion 35 that is inserted into the locking hole 33, and the locking portion 35 is formed in a claw shape and protrudes from the locking piece 34 toward the tip end in the axial direction X.

[0033] 1 to 3, the locking mechanism 52 includes a plurality of locking pieces 21 supported on the outer wall surface of the side wall 20a that forms the second housing space 42 of the main body 20, and locking pieces 36 supported on the outer wall surface of the side wall 30a of the second cover 32 so as to correspond to each of the locking pieces 21. The locking pieces 21 and the locking pieces 36 are provided on the opposite side of the hinge H2, and two sets of two are provided on each of the main body 20 and the second cover 32. Each locking piece 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that extends along the axial direction X and the height direction Z, and whose thickness direction is the width direction Y. Each locking piece 21 is provided on the outer side of the side wall 20a in the width direction Y, and two locking pieces 21 are provided at an interval along the axial direction X. Each of the locking pieces 21 is supported on the outer wall surface of the side wall 20a via a support or the like, and has a locking hole 22 into which a locking portion 37 provided on the locking piece 36 is inserted. The locking hole 22 opens along the axial direction X. Meanwhile, the locking piece 36 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that extends along the axial direction X and the height direction Z and whose thickness direction is the width direction Y, and the locking portion 37 is formed in a claw shape that protrudes outward from the locking piece 36 in the width direction Y.

[0034] 1 to 6, the locking mechanism 100 includes locking portions 110 located on the outer wall surfaces of the side walls 20a, 20b that form the first housing space 41 of the main body 20, locked portions 120 supported on the outer wall surfaces of the side walls 30a, 30b of the first lid 31 so as to correspond to each locking portion 110, and a protective wall 130 provided on the outer side of the locked portions 120. Note that the "outside" here means the side opposite the side on which the mating member P is located (the housing space 40 side) in the width direction Y from the locked portions 120.

[0035] On the other hand, the unlocking mechanism 200 includes an operating part 210 located on the tip side of the protective wall 130, as shown in FIGS.

[0036] The locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120 are provided as a pair in the width direction Y, and the protective wall 130 (and the operating portion 210) are provided as a pair corresponding to the positions of the locking portion 110.

[0037] In the following description, when distinguishing between the two locking portions 110, the locking portion 110 extending from side wall 20a will be referred to as "locking portion 110a," and the locking portion 110 extending from side wall 20b will be referred to as "locking portion 110b." When there is no need to distinguish between the two, they may simply be referred to as "locking portion 110." When distinguishing between the two locked portions 120 or the two protective walls 130, the locked portions 120 and protective walls 130 protruding from side walls 30a and 30b will be distinguished by using "a" or "b," and when there is no need to distinguish between the two, they may be referred to collectively. Furthermore, when distinguishing between the components of the locking portion 110, the locked portion 120, and the protective wall 130, they are distinguished using "a" or "b" as with the locking portion 110, the locked portion 120, and the protective wall 130, and may be referred to collectively when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the two.

[0038] The side walls 20a, 20b (side walls 20a, 20b forming the first housing space 41) on which the pair of locking portions 110a, 110b are located are each configured to be elastically deformable along the width direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the pair of locking portions 110a, 110b are provided at the upper ends of the side walls 20a, 20b in the height direction Z, and are formed in a claw shape so as to protrude outward in the width direction Y from the side walls 20a, 20b. By being formed so as to protrude outward in the width direction Y, the locking portions 110a, 110b lock the locked portion 120 when the first cover 31 is closed, and hold the first cover 31 in a position that closes the first opening 20fa of the main body 20.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of locking portions 110a and 110b includes locking surfaces 111a and 111b.

[0040] The pair of locked portions 120a, 120b and the side walls 30a, 30b (side walls 30a, 30b forming the first cover portion 31) on which the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b are supported are configured to be elastically deformable in the unlocking direction. The unlocking direction here corresponds to a direction from the inside to the outside in the width direction Y, a direction in which the locking of the locked portion 120 by the locking portion 110 is released, a rotation direction (rotation direction θ1 shown in FIG. 8) around the outer wall surfaces of the side walls 30a, 30b of the first cover portion 31 that support the operating portion 210 as a fulcrum, etc.

[0041] 5 and 6, the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b are formed in a plate shape and protrude outward in the width direction Y from the side walls 30a, 30b. The pair of locked portions 120a, 120b are formed in a cantilevered shape from the side walls 30a, 30b. Therefore, in the closed state, the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b extend from the side walls 30a, 30b toward the main body 20 along the height direction Z, and have a base end supported by the side walls 30a, 30b, and a tip end located on the main body 20 side. Note that the "main body 20 side" here means that the mating surface between the main body 20 and the lid 30 in the closed state is used as a reference plane, and the portion is located on the main body 20 side from this reference plane.

[0042] Furthermore, the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b are formed at positions corresponding to the locking portions 110a, 110b (positions where they overlap in the width direction Y) in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction X, and the holes formed by the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b extend along the height direction Z. Therefore, the locking surfaces 111 are caught in the holes of the locked portions 120, so that the lid portion 30 is locked to the main body portion 20 in the closed state.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the pair of protective walls 130a, 130b includes a pair of support wall portions 131 and a connecting wall portion 132. The pair of support wall portions 131 are located on both sides of the locked portion 120 in the axial direction X, which is the extension direction of the side walls 30a, 30b. In this case, the support wall portions 131 located on the base end side in the axial direction X extend from the side walls 30a, 30b in the width direction Y, and in the closed state, extend toward the main body portion 20 in the height direction Z. On the other hand, the support wall portions 131 located on the tip end side in the axial direction X extend from the end of the side wall 30c that contacts the side walls 30a, 30b in the width direction Y, and in the closed state, extend toward the main body portion 20 in the height direction Z. Therefore, in the closed state, the pair of protective walls 130a, 130b extend from the side walls 30a, 30b toward the main body 20 along the height direction Z, and have a base end supported on the side wall (the end of the side wall 30a, 30b, or the side wall 30c) side, and a tip end located on the main body 20 side. Furthermore, the connecting wall 132 extends across the pair of support wall portions 131 along the axial direction X, and both ends are connected to the support wall portions 131, respectively. Therefore, the pair of support wall portions 131 and the connecting wall portion 132 are integrated together to form a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the height direction Z of the protective wall 130.

[0044] 5, the pair of protective walls 130a, 130b (the pair of support wall portions 131a, 133b and the pair of connecting wall portions 132a, 132b) and the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b are formed so that their lengths in the height direction Z are approximately equal. Therefore, the pair of protective walls 130a, 130b protrude outward in the width direction Y from the side walls 30a, 30b that form the first lid portion 31, and are formed in positions that cover the outer wall surfaces of the pair of locked portions 120a, 120b.

[0045] The connecting walls 132a, 132b on which the pair of operating portions 210a, 210b are located are each configured to be elastically deformable in the unlocking direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of operating portions 210a, 210b are located outward in the width direction Y from the locked portions 120a, 120b in the closed state, and are formed to protrude outward in the width direction Y from the tip ends of the protective walls 130a, 130b (lower ends of the connecting walls 132a, 132b in the height direction Z). The pair of operating portions 210a, 210b have a wave-shaped cross section perpendicular to the axial direction X. Since the operating portion 210 is formed on the tip end side of the protective wall 130, when the operating portion 210 is rotated outward in the width direction Y during an opening operation of the first cover 31, the locked portion 120, which is locked by the locking portion 110, is elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y.

[0046] Furthermore, the connecting walls 132a, 132b on which the pair of operating portions 210a, 210b are located intersect with the height direction Z and are formed obliquely outward in the width direction Y. Therefore, in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction X, the distance from the fulcrum G1 located at the base end of the locked portion 120 to the operating force point G2 located on the operating portion 210 is set longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the locking action point G4 located on the locked portion 120 (see FIG. 7). When an operating force is applied to the operating force point G2, the operating portion 210 rotates around the fulcrum G1, thereby applying an external force to the locking action point G4. Therefore, by using the principle of leverage, the operating portion 210 elastically deforms the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y with a light operating force. Furthermore, the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the operating force point G2 is set longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120 (see FIG. 7). Generally, when the protective wall 130 is provided on the outside of the locking mechanism 100, in order to release the locking relationship between the locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120, it is necessary to apply an outward force in the width direction Y to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120. In this case, when an operating force is applied to the tip point G3, the locked portion 120 rotates about the fulcrum G1, thereby applying an external force to a locking action point G4 located between the fulcrum G1 and the tip point G3. Meanwhile, the operating portion 210 is formed at a position farther from the fulcrum G1 than the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120, and therefore the operating force is lighter than the operating force applied to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120 to elastically deform the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y. The fulcrum G1 here refers to a point located on the side wall (the end of side wall 30a, 30b, or side wall 30c) where the locked portion 120 and the support wall portion 131 are connected, and refers to the range where the protective wall 130 and the locked portion 120 can elastically deform outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with each other. The operating force point G2 is a point located on the operating unit 210, and refers to the range where an operating force from the operator can be applied. The locking action point G4 is a point located on the tip side of the locked portion 120, and refers to the range where a force acts to release the locked portion 120 from the locking surface 111 when an operating force is input to the force point.

[0047] Next, the operation of the locking mechanism 100 and the unlocking mechanism 200 in various operations will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] First, the worker prepares the terminal assembly 1. When accommodating the terminal T in the accommodation space 40, the worker accommodates the first connection portion T1, which is the side of the terminal T that is connected to the mating member P, in the first accommodation space 41, and the second connection portion T2, which is the side of the terminal T that is connected to the wiring material W, in the second accommodation space 42. Then, the worker locks the second lid portion 32 to the main body 20 via the locking mechanism 52 and fixes the second lid portion 32 in a position that closes the second opening 20fb of the main body 20. At this time, the first lid portion 31 is locked to the second lid portion 32 via the locking mechanism 51 and is held in a position that opens the first opening 20fa of the main body 20. Therefore, with the terminal T accommodated in the main body 20, the first connection portion T1, which is a part of the terminal T, is exposed from the first opening 20fa. In addition, the protective wall 130 is positioned outside the engaging portion 120 in the width direction Y and is formed in a position that covers the outer wall surface of the engaging portion 120, thereby preventing other structures from unintentionally coming into contact with the engaging portion 120 during transportation or operation.

[0049] Then, the worker attaches the terminal T to the mating member P. At this time, in addition to the first opening 20fa, the main body 20 has a mating member insertion opening 20g located on the bottom 20e side as an opening corresponding to the first housing space 41 that houses the first connection portion T1 of the terminal T. Therefore, the worker inserts the mating member P from the mating member insertion opening 20g side and inserts the shaft portion Pa of the mating member P into the insertion hole Ta. Then, the worker fastens and fixes the terminal T to the shaft portion Pa of the mating member P by screwing the nut N onto the shaft portion Pa. As a result, the terminal cover 10 is in a state where the fastening portion of the terminal T and the mating member P is housed in the first housing space 41.

[0050] Then, the worker performs a closing operation on the first lid part 31, which is in the open state. At this time, the first lid part 31 is released from the locked relationship provided by the locking mechanism 51 in accordance with the operation by the worker. Therefore, the first lid part 31 rotates relative to the second lid part 32 and moves from the second lid part 32 side toward the first opening 20fa. When the first lid part 31 moves in the locking direction relative to the main body part 20, the locked part 120 is locked by the locking part 110 (see FIG. 7 ), and the first lid part 31 is held by the main body part 20 in a position that closes the first opening 20fa of the main body part 20. When the first lid part 31 is in the closed state, the terminal cover 10 covers the terminals T accommodated in the first housing space part 41 and the mating member P connected to the terminals T with the main body part 20 and the first lid part 31, thereby protecting the fastening portions between the terminals T and the mating member P.

[0051] Then, when necessary for maintenance or the like, an operator opens first cover 31 from the closed state to expose first connection portion T1, and performs an opening operation on first cover 31. At this time, the first cover 31 is released from the locked relationship established by locking mechanism 100 via lock release mechanism 200 in accordance with the operator's operation. Specifically, protective wall 130 is elastically deformed outward in width direction Y by, for example, rotating it outward in width direction Y (more specifically, in rotational direction θ1) with the operator's finger in contact with operating portion 210. Furthermore, when protective wall 130 elastically deforms outward in width direction Y, locked portion 120, which is locked by locking portion 110, is elastically deformed in the same direction as the elastic deformation direction of protective wall 130 (see FIG. 8 ). Therefore, the operating unit 210, which is the locking release mechanism 200, can elastically deform the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y in response to a rotational operation by the operator, thereby releasing the locking relationship established by the locking mechanism 100. In addition, in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the height direction Z, the distance from a fulcrum G1, which serves as the rotation axis of the rotational operation, to an operating force point G2 to which the operating force of the operator is applied is set to be longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to a tip point G3 of the locked portion 120 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the operating unit 210 can elastically deform the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y by a rotational movement about the fulcrum G1 with an operating force that is lighter than the operating force applied to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120.

[0052] The terminal cover 10 and terminal assembly 1 described above are capable of accommodating a terminal T connected to a conductive wiring material W within an interior surrounded by side walls (main body side walls) 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, and include a main body 20 having an opening 20f formed therein that exposes a portion of the terminal T when the terminal T is accommodated therein, and a lid 30 that can open and close the opening 20f. Furthermore, the main body 20 has a locking portion 110 located on the side walls 20a and 20b and capable of locking the lid portion 30, and the lid portion 30 has side walls (lid portion side walls) 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d extending along the side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d in a closed state in which the lid portion 30 closes the opening 20f of the main body 20, lockable portions 120 protruding outward from the side walls 30a and 30b in the width direction Y intersecting the extension direction of the side walls 30a and 30b on the opposite side from the side on which the locking portion 110 is located and which are locked by the locking portion 110 in the closed state, and a protective wall 130 protruding outward from the side walls 30a and 30b in the width direction Y and formed in a position covering the outer wall surface of the lockable portion 120. In addition, the protective wall 130 has an operating portion 210 provided at the tip side, and when the operating portion 210 is operated toward the outside in the width direction Y, it can elastically deform toward the outside in the width direction Y in conjunction with the locked portion 120.

[0053] According to this configuration, in the open state, protective wall 130 prevents other structures from unintentionally contacting locked portion 120, thereby preventing plastic deformation of locked portion 120. Furthermore, in the closed state, protective wall 130 prevents other structures from unintentionally contacting locked portion 120 and locked portion 120, thereby preventing the locked relationship between locking portion 110 and locked portion 120 from being released.

[0054] Furthermore, in general, when a locking mechanism has a protective wall on the outside, in order to elastically deform the locking portion or the locked portion to release the locking relationship between the locking portion and the locked portion, it is necessary to apply an external force to the locking portion or the locked portion using, for example, a release tool through a location where there is no protective wall (an opening formed at the lower end of the protective wall in the height direction Z). In contrast, the protective wall 130 of this embodiment has an operating unit 210 provided at the tip side of the protective wall 130, which elastically deforms in conjunction with the locked portion 120 in response to a rotation operation by an operator, thereby operating to release the locking relationship between the locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120. Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can be opened without using, for example, a release tool, thereby reducing the complexity of the operation.

[0055] Furthermore, the locked portion 120 of the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 described above, in the closed state, extends from the side walls 30a, 30b toward the main body 20 along a height direction Z intersecting with the width direction Y, and has a base end supported by the side walls 30a, 30b, and a tip end located on the main body 20 side. The protective wall 130 also extends along the width direction Y from a range where the protective wall 130 and the locked portion 120 can elastically deform outward in the width direction Y in cooperation with each other, and in the closed state, has a base end that extends along the height direction Z toward the main body 20 and is supported by the side wall (the end of the side wall 30a, 30b, or 30c), and a tip end that is located on the main body 20 among the ends extending along the height direction Z in the closed state. Furthermore, in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the height direction Z, the distance from fulcrum G1 located at the base end of the locked portion 120 to operating force point G2 located at operating unit 210 provided at the tip end of protective wall 130 is set to be longer than the distance from fulcrum G1 to tip end point G3 of the locked portion 120. With this configuration, the operating unit 210 is formed at a position farther from the side walls 30a, 30b than the tip end of the locked portion 120, and therefore, by rotational movement about fulcrum G1, the locked portion 120 can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y with an operating force that is lighter than the operating force applied to tip end point G3 of the locked portion 120. Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can further improve the efficiency of the operation of rotating the protective wall 130. Furthermore, here, the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the operating force point G2 is set longer than the locking action point G4 located from the fulcrum G1 to the locked portion 120, so that the operating portion 210 can elastically deform the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y with a light operating force.

[0056] Furthermore, the protective wall 130 of the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 described above has a pair of support wall portions 131 located on both sides of the locked portion 120 in the extending direction (axial direction X) of the side walls 30a, 30b and extending from the side walls 30a, 30b along the width direction Y, and a connecting wall portion 132 extending across the pair of support wall portions 131 in the extending direction (axial direction X) of the side walls 30a, 30b, with both ends connected to each of the support wall portions 131, and the operating portion 210 is formed on the connecting wall portion 132. According to this configuration, the pair of support wall portions 131 and the connecting wall portion 132 are integrally formed into a U-shape, so that the protective wall 130 covers the outside of the locking portion 110 and can prevent unintended external force from being applied to the locked portion 120 during transportation or operation. Furthermore, the protective wall 130 is configured so that an operator can easily apply an external force when rotating it by forming the operating portion 210 at the tip of the connecting wall portion 132. Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can further improve the work efficiency of the operation of rotating the protective wall 130.

[0057] Furthermore, the locking portions 110 and locked portions 120 of the terminal cover 10 and terminal assembly 1 described above are provided in pairs in the width direction Y, and the protective walls 130 are provided in pairs corresponding to the positions of the locking portions 110. With this configuration, the operating portion 210 provided on the protective wall 130 can elastically deform the pair of locked portions 120 outward in the width direction Y in response to a rotation operation by an operator. Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can improve the work efficiency of the operation of rotating the pair of protective walls 130.

[0058] Furthermore, the terminals T accommodated in the terminal cover 10 described above and the terminals T included in the terminal assembly 1 include a first connection portion T1 connected to a mating member (connection partner) P and a second connection portion T2 connected to the wiring material W, the main body portion 20 is located at the tip side in the axial direction X of the wiring material W and has a first accommodating space portion 41 that accommodates the first connection portion T1 and a second accommodating space portion 42 that is located at the base end side in the axial direction X and accommodates the second connection portion T2, and the lid portion 30 has a first lid portion 31 that can open and close a first opening 20fa corresponding to the first accommodating space portion 41 and a second lid portion 32 that can open and close a second opening 20fb corresponding to the second accommodating space portion 42. The first cover 31 is rotatably supported relative to the second cover 32 via a hinge H1 extending along the width direction Y, and the second cover 32 is rotatably supported relative to the main body 20 via a hinge H2 extending along the axial direction X. The first cover 31 is fixed to the main body 20 while closing the second opening 20fb. The locking portion 110 is provided in a position on the side walls 20a and 20b that defines the first housing space 41, and the locked portion 120 and the protective wall 130 are provided in a position on the side walls 30a and 30b that defines the first cover 31. This configuration allows a worker to fasten the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 through the first opening 20fa while only the first cover 31 is open. After the fastening operation is completed, the first cover 31 is closed, protecting the fastened portions of the terminal T and the mating member P. In this configuration, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can prevent the work from becoming complicated as described above.

[0059] The terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above are not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0060] For example, although the pair of locking protrusions 110 has been described as being located on the side walls 20a and 20b, the positions of the pair of locking protrusions 110 are not particularly limited.

[0061] Furthermore, in the locking mechanism 100, the locking portion 110 provided on the main body 20 is claw-shaped, and the locked portion 120 provided on the first lid 31 has a hole, but the shapes of the locking portion and the locked portion are not limited to this. The locking portion provided on the main body 20 may have a hole, and the locked portion provided on the first lid 31 may be claw-shaped.

[0062] Furthermore, the position of the protective wall 130 is not particularly limited as long as it is fixed within a range that allows it to elastically deform outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with the locked portion 120. Furthermore, although it has been described that the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the operating force point G2 is longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120, this is not limitative.

[0063] Furthermore, although it has been described that one of the pair of support wall portions 131 of the protective wall 130 extends from the side walls 30a, 30b in the width direction Y and the other extends from the end of the side wall 30c in the width direction Y, the positions of the pair of support wall portions 131 are not particularly limited. The pair of support wall portions 131 may extend from the side walls 30a, 30b in the width direction Y, respectively.

[0064] In addition, the protective wall 130 has been described as being formed such that the pair of support wall portions 131 and the connecting wall portion 132 are integrated together to form a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the height direction Z, but this is not limiting. The protective wall may be, for example, L-shaped, and may be composed of a support wall portion located on one side of the locked portion and a wall portion connected to the support wall portion.

[0065] Furthermore, although it has been described that the locking portions 110 and the locked portions 120 are provided in pairs in the width direction Y, and the protective walls 130 are provided in pairs corresponding to the positions of the locking portions 110, the number of locking portions 110 and the locked portions 120 is not particularly limited. The locking portions 110 and the locked portions 120 may be provided on one side in the width direction Y.

[0066] Furthermore, the first lid 31 has been described as a member that is rotatably supported relative to the second lid 32 via the hinge H1, but this is not limiting. The first lid may be a member that is rotatably supported relative to the main body 20, or may be a member that is formed separately from the main body 20 and fitted to the main body 20 in response to an operation by an operator.

[0067] Furthermore, the second lid 32 has been described as a member that is rotatably supported on the main body 20 via the hinge H2, but this is not limiting. The second lid may be a member that is formed separately from the main body 20 and fitted to the main body 20 in response to an operation by an operator, or may be a member that is formed integrally with the main body 20.

[0068] The first and second lids may be integrally formed members. The form of the lid is not limited as long as it is at least partially rotatably supported on the main body 20 via a hinge or the like, or is formed separately from the main body 20 and fitted to the main body 20 or the like in response to an operator's operation.

[0069] Furthermore, although the axial direction X of the wiring material W and the depth direction of the main body portion 20 have been described as being coincident, they may be intersecting directions.

[0070] Furthermore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Terminal Assembly 10 Terminal cover 20 Main body 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d side wall (body side wall) 20f aperture 20fa 1st opening 20fb 2nd aperture 30 Lid 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d side wall (lid side wall) 31 1st lid part 32 2nd lid part 40 Storage space 41 First storage space 42 Second storage space 100 Locking mechanism 110 Locking part 120 Locked part 130 Protection Wall 131 Support wall section 132 Connecting wall 200 Lock release mechanism 210 Operation section H1, H2 hinges G1 fulcrum G2 operating force point G3 End point of the locked part G4 Locking point T terminal T1 1st connection T2 Second connection part P Mating member (connection partner) W Routing material X-axis direction (depth direction) Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. a main body portion surrounded by a side wall of the main body portion and capable of accommodating a terminal connected to a conductive wiring material, the main body portion having an opening formed therein through which a portion of the terminal is exposed when the terminal is accommodated therein; a lid portion that can open and close the opening, The main body portion is a locking portion located on a side wall of the main body portion and capable of locking the lid portion; The lid portion is a lid portion sidewall extending along the main body portion sidewall in a closed state in which the lid portion closes the opening of the main body portion; a latched portion that protrudes outward from the lid side wall to the side opposite to the side on which the latch portion is located in a width direction that intersects with the extension direction of the lid side wall, and is latched by the latch portion in the closed state; a protective wall that protrudes outward from the lid side wall and is formed at a position that covers the outside of the locked portion, the protective wall has an operating portion provided on a tip side thereof, and when the operating portion is operated toward the outward side, the protective wall is elastically deformable toward the outward side in conjunction with the locked portion; The locked portion is In the closed state, the cover extends from the side wall of the cover toward the main body along a height direction intersecting with the width direction, a base end supported on the side wall of the lid portion and a tip end located on the main body portion side, The protective wall is the protective wall and the engaged portion extend along the width direction from a range in which they can be elastically deformed outward in cooperation with each other, and in the closed state, extend along the height direction toward the main body portion, a base end supported on a side wall of the lid portion; and a tip end extending along the height direction in the closed state and positioned on the main body side, The grooves are formed obliquely outward in the width direction from the base end to the tip end, In a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the height direction, a distance from a fulcrum located at a base end of the locked portion to an operating force point located at the operating portion provided at a tip end of the protective wall is longer than a distance from the fulcrum to a tip end point of the locked portion. Terminal cover.

2. The operating portion is formed to protrude outward in the width direction from the tip end side of the protective wall, The terminal cover according to claim 1 .

3. the protective wall has a pair of support wall portions located on both sides of the locked portion in the extending direction of the lid side wall, and a connecting wall portion extending across the pair of support wall portions along the extending direction of the lid side wall, and both end portions of which are connected to the support wall portions, The operating portion is formed on the connecting wall portion. The terminal cover according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The locking portion and the locked portion are provided as a pair in the width direction, The protective walls are provided in pairs corresponding to the positions of the locked portions. The terminal cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The terminal includes a first connection portion to be connected to a connection partner and a second connection portion to be connected to the wiring material, The main body portion is located at the tip end side in the axial direction of the wiring material and has a first accommodating space portion that accommodates the first connecting portion, and a second accommodating space portion that is located at the base end side in the axial direction and accommodates the second connecting portion, the lid portion includes a first lid portion that can open and close a first opening corresponding to the first accommodation space portion, and a second lid portion that can open and close a second opening corresponding to the second accommodation space portion, the first lid portion is rotatably supported relative to the second lid portion via a hinge extending along the width direction, the second cover portion is rotatably supported relative to the main body portion via a hinge extending along the axial direction and is fixed to the main body portion in a state in which the second opening is closed; the locking portion is provided at a position on the side wall of the main body that forms the first accommodating space, the engaging portion and the protective wall are provided at positions on the lid portion side wall that form the first lid portion, The terminal cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A terminal connected to a conductive wiring material; the terminal cover has a main body portion that can accommodate the terminals inside the main body portion surrounded by a side wall, and has an opening that exposes a part of the terminals when the terminals are accommodated therein, and a lid portion that can open and close the opening, The main body portion is a locking portion located on a side wall of the main body portion and capable of locking the lid portion; The lid portion is a lid portion sidewall extending along the main body portion sidewall in a closed state in which the lid portion closes the opening of the main body portion; a latched portion that protrudes outward from the lid side wall to the side opposite to the side on which the latch portion is located in a width direction that intersects with the extension direction of the lid side wall, and is latched by the latch portion in the closed state; a protective wall that protrudes outward from the lid side wall and is formed at a position that covers the outside of the locked portion, the protective wall has an operating portion provided on a tip side thereof, and when the operating portion is operated toward the outward side, the protective wall is elastically deformable toward the outward side in conjunction with the locked portion; The locked portion is In the closed state, the cover extends from the side wall of the cover toward the main body along a height direction intersecting with the width direction, a base end supported on the side wall of the lid portion and a tip end located on the main body portion side, The protective wall is the protective wall and the engaged portion extend along the width direction from a range in which they can be elastically deformed outward in cooperation with each other, and in the closed state, extend along the height direction toward the main body portion, a base end supported on a side wall of the lid portion; and a tip end extending along the height direction in the closed state and positioned on the main body side, The grooves are formed obliquely outward in the width direction from the base end to the tip end, In a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the height direction, a distance from a fulcrum located at a base end of the locked portion to an operating force point located at the operating portion provided at a tip end of the protective wall is longer than a distance from the fulcrum to a tip end point of the locked portion. Terminal assembly.

Images