Connection terminal or terminal block

Abstract

To prevent a plurality of connection terminals from becoming entangled with each other even when the connection terminals are grouped together.SOLUTION: A connection terminal is a clip-shaped terminal that clamps an alternative terminal inserted between a pair of opposing clamping pieces, and the tip side of at least one of the clamping pieces that contacts the alternative terminal is divided into multiple contact portions by notches extending from the tip to the base end, and at least one of the adjacent contact portions has a protrusion that protrudes so as to narrow the gap between it and the other contact portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a connection terminal incorporated in a terminal block or the like, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a clip-shaped one that sandwiches a separate terminal inserted between a pair of sandwiching pieces facing each other, and the tip side that contacts the separate terminal of both sandwiching pieces is divided into two contact portions by a notch extending from the tip to the base end.

[0003] According to this type of connection terminal, since the two contact portions operate separately and contact the separate terminal, for example, even if one contact portion causes a poor contact, the contact can be maintained by the other contact portion, and the contact reliability is improved compared to a single contact portion.

[0004] However, in the connection terminal shown in Non-Patent Document 1, a gap is formed between adjacent contact portions. For example, when performing a plating process, if a plurality of connection terminals are collectively placed in a single plating bath, other connection terminals may enter the gap and the connection terminals may become entangled with each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] <00OO023>

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the main problem of the present invention is to make it difficult for connection terminals to become entangled even when a plurality of connection terminals are grouped together.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The connection terminal according to the present invention is a clip-shaped device that clamps another terminal inserted between a pair of opposing clamping pieces, wherein the tip end of at least one of the clamping pieces that contacts the other terminal is divided into a plurality of contact portions by a notch extending from the tip to the base end, and at least one of the adjacent contact portions has a protruding portion that protrudes in such a way as to narrow the gap between it and the other contact portion.

[0008] According to the present invention, the protruding portion prevents other connection terminals from getting into the gap between adjacent contact portions. As a result, even when multiple connection terminals are bundled together, they are less likely to become entangled with each other.

[0009] Other connectors can easily slip into the gap between adjacent contact points, starting from the tip side.

[0010] Therefore, the projection may be made to protrude in such a way as to narrow the gap between the tips of adjacent contact portions.

[0011] Furthermore, if the gap between adjacent contact points extends in a straight line, other connection terminals can easily get trapped in that gap.

[0012] Therefore, the tip of one of the adjacent contact portions may have an extended portion that extends longer than the other contact portion, and the projection may protrude from the extended portion.

[0013] With this configuration, for example, the protruding part can be extended to a position opposite the tip of the other contact part, and by extending it in this way, the gap between adjacent contact parts becomes roughly L-shaped. As a result, the connection terminals become less likely to tangle with each other.

[0014] Furthermore, the protruding portions may be arranged to protrude from each of the adjacent contact portions.

[0015] Even with such a configuration, the two protruding portions interfere with other connection terminals from entering the gap between the adjacent contact portions. As a result, it becomes difficult for the connection terminals to become entangled with each other.

[0016] Further, when the contact portion of the one clamping portion is taken as the first contact portion, the tip side of the other clamping piece is divided into second contact portions facing the respective first contact portions, and one of the second contact portions facing the first contact portion having no protruding portion among the adjacent second contact portions may have a second protruding portion that protrudes so as to narrow the gap with the other second contact portion.

[0017] According to such a configuration, since the protruding portion and the second protruding portion protrude alternately, the position of the gap narrowed by the protruding portion and the position of the gap narrowed by the second protruding portion are shifted. As a result, it becomes more difficult for the connection terminals to become entangled with each other.

[0018] Specific embodiments of the connection terminal include those in which the pair of clamping pieces are connected to each other on the base end side, and those in which the pair of clamping pieces are separate bodies.

[0019] The terminal block according to the present invention is characterized by including any one of the above connection terminals.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the connection terminal according to the present invention, even when a plurality of connection terminals are grouped together, it becomes difficult for the connection terminals to become entangled with each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view schematically showing the connection terminal of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a front view / back view schematically showing the connection terminal of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a side view schematically showing the connection terminal of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a side view schematically showing the connection terminal of the second embodiment. [Figure 5]It is a perspective view schematically showing one clamping piece of the connection terminal of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a front view and a rear view schematically showing one clamping piece of the connection terminal of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a terminal block incorporating the connection terminal of the first embodiment and the connection terminal of the second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The connection terminal and the terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0023] <First Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connection terminal T1 of this embodiment is a clip-shaped one including a first clamping piece 10 and a second clamping piece 20. The connection terminal T1 according to this embodiment is used by being assembled to the case C of the terminal block TB as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

[0024] The two clamping pieces 10 and 20 face each other with a gap so as not to contact each other, and clamp another terminal X inserted therebetween. Specifically, the connection terminal T1 according to this embodiment is formed by bending a metal plate to form the two clamping pieces 10 and 20, and clamps using the elasticity of the metal plate. Here, the other terminal X includes, for example, an insertion portion inserted between the two clamping pieces 10 and 20 having a plate shape or a rod shape, and may have conductivity or may have insulation. [[ID=2s3]]

[0025] The first clamping piece 10 has a rectangular shape, and the tip side is divided into a plurality of first contact portions 12 by a notch extending from the tip to the base end. In this embodiment, the tip side is divided into two, but it is not limited to this, and it may be divided into three or more.

[0026] The notch does not reach the base end of the first clamping piece 10, and as a result, both first contact portions 12 are connected to each other at their base ends. However, the notch may extend to the base end of the first clamping piece 10. The notch extends from the tip to the base end with the same width. Therefore, the two first contact portions 12 are adjacent to each other and are aligned parallel to each other, with the gap 11 formed by the notch in between.

[0027] The second clamping piece 20 is rectangular in shape, and its tip is divided into second contact portions 22 that face each of the first contact portions 12 by a notch extending from the tip to the base. In other words, the tip of the second clamping piece 20 is divided into the same number of second contact portions 22 as the first contact portions 12.

[0028] The notch does not extend to the base end of the second clamping piece 20, and as a result, both second contact portions 22 are connected to each other at their base ends. However, the notch may extend to the base end of the second clamping piece 20. The notch extends from the tip to the base end with the same width. Therefore, the two second contact portions 22 are adjacent to each other and are aligned parallel to each other, with the gap 21 formed by the notch in between.

[0029] The first contact portion 12 and the second contact portion 22, which face each other, have a portion that is spaced apart with a gap narrower than the thickness of the other terminal X, and this portion becomes the contact point with the other terminal X. In addition, the tips 14 and 24 of the first contact portion 12 and the second contact portion 22, which face each other, are bent so as to widen towards the tip, forming the insertion opening M.

[0030] The connection terminal T1 of this embodiment further includes a support portion 30 that connects the first clamping piece 10 and the second clamping piece 20 at their base ends. The connection terminal T1 is then attached to the case C via this support portion 30. The support portion 30 of this embodiment includes a connecting portion 31 that connects the first clamping piece 10 and the second clamping piece to each other at their base ends, and a connecting portion 32 that rises from the connecting portion 31 in the opposite direction from the first clamping portion 10 and the second clamping portion 20. The connection terminal T1 of this embodiment is attached to the case C via this connecting portion 32. A second separate terminal is also connected to this connecting portion 32.

[0031] However, in this embodiment, one of the adjacent first contact portions 12a has a first projection 13, and one of the adjacent second contact portions 22a has a second projection 23. Here, in the present invention, adjacent contact portions 12, 22 refer to contact portions 12, 20 formed on the same clamping portions 10, 20.

[0032] The first projection 13 protrudes from one first contact portion 12a to narrow the gap 11 between it and the other first contact portion 12b. More specifically, it protrudes from the tip portion 14a of one first contact portion 12a to narrow the gap between the tips of both first contact portions 12a and 12b. The first projection 13 protrudes in a manner that does not come into contact with the other first contact portion 12b. In this embodiment, the tip portion 14a of one of the adjacent first contact portions 12a has an extended portion 15 that extends longer than the tip portion 14b of the other first contact portion 12b, and the first projection 13 protrudes from this extended portion 15. The first projection 13 extends to a position facing the tip of the other first contact portion 12b. Therefore, the gap 11 between adjacent first contact portions 12 is roughly L-shaped, and the open end 11a of this gap 11 faces the direction of protrusion of the first protruding portion 13.

[0033] The second projection 23 protrudes from one second contact portion 22a to narrow the gap 21 between it and the other second contact portion 22b. More specifically, it protrudes from the tip portion 24a of one second contact portion 22a to narrow the gap between the tips of both second contact portions 22a and 22b. The second projection 23 protrudes in a manner that does not come into contact with the other first contact portion 22b. In this embodiment, the tip portion 24a of one of the adjacent second contact portions 22a has an extended portion 25 that extends longer than the tip portion 24b of the other second contact portion 22b, and the second projection 23 protrudes from this extended portion 25. The second projection 23 extends to a position opposite the tip of the other second contact portion 22b. Therefore, the gap 21 between adjacent second contact portions 22 is roughly L-shaped, and the open end 21a of this gap 21 faces the direction of protrusion of the second protruding portion 23.

[0034] Here, the first second contact portion 22a is the second contact portion 22 that faces the other first contact portion 12b, that is, the second contact portion 22 that faces the first contact portion 12b that does not have the first protrusion 13. Therefore, the first protrusion 13 and the second protrusion 23 protrude in opposite directions. As a result, the open end 11a of the gap 11 between the two first contact portions 12 and the open end 21a of the gap 21 between the two second contact portions 22 face in opposite directions.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 13 prevents other connection terminals from entering the gap 11 between adjacent first contact portions 12. Similarly, the second protrusion 23 prevents other connection terminals from entering the gap 21 between adjacent second contact portions 22. As a result, even when multiple connection terminals are bundled together, they are less likely to become entangled with each other.

[0036] Furthermore, since the first protrusion 13 and the second protrusion 23 are provided at the tip portions 14 and 24, the open ends 11a and 21a of the gaps 11 and 21 prevent other connection terminals from entering the gaps 11 and 21, making them less likely to get tangled.

[0037] Furthermore, since the first protrusion 13 and the second protrusion 23 protrude in opposite directions, the positions of the gaps 11 and 21 narrowed by these protrusions 13 and 23 are shifted, making it more difficult for other connection terminals to enter the gaps 11 and 21, thus reducing the likelihood of entanglement.

[0038] Furthermore, since the first protrusion 13 and the second protrusion 23 protrude from the extension portions 15 and 25 and extend to a position opposite the tip of the shorter contact portion 12b and 22b, the gaps 11 and 21 become roughly L-shaped, making it difficult for other connection terminals to enter the gaps 11 and 21 and thus less likely to become entangled.

[0039] <Second Embodiment> The connection terminal T2 of this embodiment is a modified version of the connection terminal T1 of the first embodiment, and in particular the shapes of the first contact portion 12 and the second contact portion 22 are different. In Figures 4 to 6 showing the connection terminal T2 of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those for the connection terminal T1 of the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first clamping piece 100 and the second clamping piece 200 are provided with a support portion 30 at their base ends, but they are not connected to each other via this support portion 30. In other words, the first clamping piece 100 and the second clamping piece 200 are separate components. The support portion 30 also functions as a connecting portion 32.

[0041] The first clamping piece 100 is curved in a substantially U-shape at its tip, and its tip is divided into two first contact portions 120 by a notch extending from the tip to the base.

[0042] In this embodiment, adjacent first contact portions 120 have first protrusions 130 that project from each first contact portion 120 toward the other first contact portion 120.

[0043] The second clamping piece 200 also has the same shape as the first clamping piece 100, and has adjacent second contact portions 220, each of which has a second projection 230 toward the other second contact portion 220, so that the gap 21 is narrowed by both second projections 230.

[0044] In this embodiment as well, both protrusions 130 and 230 prevent other connection terminals from getting into the gaps between adjacent contact portions 120 and 220. As a result, even when multiple connection terminals are bundled together, they are less likely to become entangled with each other.

[0045] The connection terminal T2 according to this embodiment is also used by being assembled into the case C of the terminal block TB, for example, as shown in Figure 7. In this embodiment, the first clamping piece 100 and the second clamping piece 200 are separate parts, so the first clamping piece 100 and the second clamping piece 200 can be assembled in the case C so that the first contact portion 120 and the second contact portion 220 face each other. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first clamping piece 100 and the second clamping piece 200 are installed so that the first contact portion 120 and the second contact portion 220 are in contact with each other. Therefore, the contact portion of both contact portions 120 and 220 becomes a contact point with another terminal. In this terminal block TB, the connection terminal T1 of the first embodiment and the connection terminal T2 of the second embodiment are used in combination.

[0046] This terminal block TB is installed, for example, in the middle of a main circuit and used to insert a sub-circuit into that main circuit. Specifically, the upstream end (second separate terminal) of the main circuit is connected to the connection part 32 of one connection terminal T1, and the downstream end (second separate terminal) of the main circuit is connected to the connection part 32 of the other connection terminal T1. As a result, the upstream and downstream sides of the main circuit are connected via connection terminal T2. When inserting a sub-circuit into this main circuit, the upstream end (separate terminal) of the sub-circuit is clamped by the clamping pieces 10, 20 of one connection terminal T1, and the downstream end (separate terminal) is clamped by the clamping pieces 10, 20 of the other connection terminal T1, and an insulating terminal is inserted between the clamping pieces 100, 200 of connection terminal T2. As a result, the upstream and downstream sides of the main circuit are connected via the sub-circuit.

[0047] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the first embodiment, the projection protrudes from the tip of the contact portion, but the invention is not limited to this, and may protrude from an intermediate position of the contact portion. Also, although the tip sides of both clamping pieces are divided into multiple contact portions, the tip side of only one of the clamping pieces may be divided into multiple contact portions.

[0048] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first and second protrusions are projected in opposite directions, but the invention is not limited to this, and they may be projected in the same direction. Also, in the first embodiment, the protrusions are projected from the tip of the contact portion, but they may be projected from an intermediate position.

[0049] Furthermore, if the width of the gap narrowed by the protrusion is made shorter than, for example, the thickness of the contact area or the width of the contact area, it becomes even less likely to get tangled.

[0050] Furthermore, various combinations or modifications of parts of the embodiments are permitted, as long as they do not contradict the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] T1: Connection terminal X: Separate terminal 10: 1st clamping piece 11: Gap 12: 1st contact part 13: 1st protrusion 14a: Tip 15: Stretching part 20:Second clamping piece 21: Gap 22:Second contact part 23:Second protrusion 24a:Tip 25: Stretching part T2: Connection terminal 100: 1st clamping piece 120: 1st contact part 130: 1st protrusion 200:Second clamping piece 220: Second contact part 230: Second protrusion TB: Terminal Block

Claims

1. A clip-like connector that clamps another terminal inserted between a pair of opposing clamping pieces, wherein the tip end of at least one of the clamping pieces that contacts the other terminal is divided into multiple contact portions by a notch extending from the tip to the base end, When viewed from opposing directions, the contact portions of the pair of clamping pieces are separated from each other by the gap formed by the notch. A connection terminal characterized in that at least one of the adjacent contact portions has a protruding portion that protrudes in such a way as to narrow the gap.

2. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes in such a manner that it narrows the gap between the tips of adjacent contact portions.

3. The tip of one of the adjacent contact portions has an extended portion that extends longer than the other contact portion. The connection terminal according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the extended portion.

4. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes from each of the adjacent contact portions.

5. When the contact portion of one of the clamping pieces is designated as the first contact portion, the tip side of the other clamping piece is divided into a second contact portion that faces each of the first contact portions. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein one of the adjacent second contact portions, which faces the first contact portion that does not have the aforementioned protrusion, has a second protrusion that protrudes in such a way as to narrow the gap between it and the other second contact portion.

6. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the pair of clamping pieces are connected to each other at their base ends.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pair of clamping pieces are separate components.

8. A terminal block characterized by having the connection terminals described in any one of claims 1 to 7 above.

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