Packing assembly and manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing packing assembly

Abstract

To provide a packing assembly in which packing assembly workability is improved, and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly.SOLUTION: A packing assembly includes: a terminal-holding portion 20 including a plate-shaped terminal 2, an embedded portion 61 in which a portion of the terminal is embedded, and a tubular portion 63 that is provided continuously with the embedded portion and surrounds the terminal; and a ring-shaped packing 5 that is externally fitted to the terminal and seals an internal space S of the tubular portion, where the embedded portion is provided with an air vent mechanism 62 that discharges air on a side in an externally fitting direction Y2 of the packing in the internal space to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packing assembly and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a terminal block that is inserted into an opening provided in a housing of a device or the like and bolted to the housing to conduct between the inside and outside of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional terminal block. As an example of the terminal block, as shown in FIG. 7, it includes a housing 106 having a terminal 102, an embedding portion 161 that embeds a part of the terminal 102, and a cylindrical portion 162 that has a housing space 106S that continuously accommodates the terminal 102; a packing 105 that is externally inserted into the terminal 102 and closes the housing space 106S; and a holder (not shown) that is assembled to the cylindrical portion 162. In such a conventional terminal block 101, the packing 105 is provided in close contact with the terminal 102 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 162, ensuring waterproofness.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional terminal block 101, the embedding portion 161 of the housing 106 is configured to be solid by embedding a part of the terminal 102. Therefore, when the packing 105 is externally inserted (inserted) into the terminal 102 with the terminal 102 supported by the housing 106, the side in the insertion direction (the front in the advancing direction) of the packing 105 in the housing space 106S becomes a sealing region 101A, and a high insertion force is required to insert the packing 105. As a result, the workability of assembling the packing 105 was poor.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a packing assembly that improves the workability of packing assembly, and a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing packing assemblies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objective, the invention described in claim 1 comprises a terminal holding part having a plate-shaped terminal, a buried part in which a part of the terminal is buried, a cylindrical part provided continuously with the buried part and surrounding the terminal, and a ring-shaped packing fitted onto the terminal and sealing the internal space of the cylindrical part, wherein the buried part is provided with an air venting mechanism for discharging air from the side of the internal space on the side in which the packing is fitted to the outside. The air venting mechanism includes a first passage, one end of which is provided in communication with the internal space and which extends away from the packing; and a second passage, which extends radially in the cylindrical portion, with one end in the radial direction being continuous with the first passage and the other end in the radial direction communicating with the outside. The second passage is provided in pairs on both sides of the terminal in the radial direction. This packing assembly is characterized by the following features. Claim 2 The invention described in the claims 1 A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the packing assembly described above, comprising: a mold for inserting the terminal and forming the terminal holding portion; a first insert for forming the first passage; and a pair of second inserts for forming the pair of second passages, wherein the pair of second inserts are provided in a rod shape, and the first insert is configured to have a cylindrical first insert body into which the terminal can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes provided in the first insert body for inserting each of the pair of second inserts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the ease of assembly of packing can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along line II in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows a magnified view of the main part of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This figure shows a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the aforementioned terminal block. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing the process of manufacturing the terminal block using the manufacturing apparatus described above. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional terminal block. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal block 1 to which a packing assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal block 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line II in Figure 1.

[0010] The terminal block 1 of this embodiment is bolted to a support having assembly holes, and provides electrical connection between a pair of connection targets provided inside and outside the support. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block 1 comprises a terminal holding portion 20 (shown in Figure 1) that holds three terminals 2, a holder 3 assembled to the terminal holding portion 20 to support each terminal 2, a ring-shaped holding portion packing 4 interposed between the terminal holding portion 20 and the periphery of the assembly hole, and a ring-shaped terminal packing 5 (packing) attached to each terminal 2. The terminal holding portion 20 and the terminal packing 5 (packing) constitute a packing assembly.

[0011] In the following, as shown in Figure 2, the direction of movement when the terminal packing 5 is externally fitted onto the terminal 2 is referred to as the "front-back direction" and indicated by "arrow Y". The direction perpendicular to the front-back direction Y, and where the three terminals 2 are aligned, is referred to as the "left-right direction" and indicated by "arrow X". The direction perpendicular to arrows X and Y is referred to as the "up-down direction" and indicated by "arrow Z". In addition, one side of arrow Y (the front side in Figure 2) is referred to as "front Y1", and the other side opposite to it (the back side in Figure 2, the direction in which the terminal packing 5 is externally fitted onto the terminal 2) is referred to as "rear Y2".

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the terminal holding portion 20 comprises three terminals 2 and a resin molded portion 6 that holds these three terminals 2, and is integrally formed by insert molding of these three terminals 2 into the resin molded portion 6.

[0013] The three terminals 2 are arranged in a horizontal direction X, as shown in Figure 2. Each terminal 2 is constructed by bending a rectangular sheet metal into an L-shape, and comprises a horizontal plate portion 2A and a right-angle plate portion 2B that bends at the rear Y2 end of the horizontal plate portion 2A and extends downward in one direction Z. The horizontal plate portion 2A extends in a planar shape including the front-rear direction Y and the left-right direction X, and the right-angle plate portion 2B extends in a planar shape including the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction X. Furthermore, a first bolt hole 2a is provided at the front end of the horizontal plate portion 2A (the end away from the right-angle plate portion 2B) for bolting to one of a pair of connection targets, and a second bolt hole 2b is provided at the lower end of the right-angle plate portion 2B (the end away from the horizontal plate portion 2A) for bolting to the other of a pair of connection targets.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the resin molded section 6 is provided in a block shape and includes an embedded section 61 that embeds the intermediate portion of the three terminals 2 in the front-rear direction Y (the portion on the rear Y2 side of the horizontal plate section 2A), an air venting mechanism 62 provided in the embedded section 61, a cylindrical section 63 that is provided continuously in front Y1 of the embedded section 61 and has a housing space S inside which the terminals 2 are housed, and a flange section 64 that extends in a flange shape in the rear Y2 of the embedded section 61 and has a pair of bolt holes 6a, 6a (shown in Figure 2).

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the embedded portion 61 is provided with a packing accommodation portion 610 for accommodating the packing 4 for the holding portion on its outer peripheral portion. The packing accommodation portion 610 is provided in front of Y1 of the second passages 62B1 and 62B2 in the air venting mechanism 62 described later in the front-rear direction Y. Further, the packing accommodation portion 610 is configured by notching the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the embedded portion 61 in a concave groove shape. This embedded portion 61 is configured to be inserted and supported via the packing 4 for the holding portion into the assembly hole provided in the support body in a state where the packing 4 for the holding portion described later is accommodated in the packing accommodation portion 610.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the air venting mechanism 62 includes a first passage 62A provided around the terminal 2 so as to be axially centered on the front-rear direction Y, and a pair of second passages 62B1 and 62B2 continuous with the first passage 62A. As shown in FIG. 4, the first passage 62A is provided such that its front end 62Af (one end) communicates with the accommodation space S located inside the cylindrical portion 63 described later and extends linearly toward the rear Y2. The pair of second passages 62B1 and 62B2 are continuous with the rear end 62Ab (the other end) of the first passage 62A, are provided on both sides sandwiching the terminal 2, and are configured to extend linearly in the up-down direction Z extending in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 63. Such an air venting mechanism 62 is configured to be able to discharge the air inside the accommodation space S to the outside via the first passage 62A and the pair of second passages 62B1 and 62B2.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylindrical portion 63 is partitioned in the left-right direction X by two partition portions 65 and is configured to have three spaces (accommodation space S).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 3 includes a plate-like holder body 31 having three terminal holes 30 for inserting each terminal 2 and abutting against the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 63 in the resin molding portion 6, and three inserted portions 32 provided in a cylindrical shape continuous with the inner peripheral surfaces of the terminal holes 30 of the holder body 31 and inserted into the respective accommodation spaces S, and a plate-like insulating plate 33 that protrudes forward Y1 of the holder body 31 and is provided between adjacent terminal holes 30 to insulate the terminals 2 from each other.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the same number (three) of terminal packings 5 as the terminals 2 are provided. The terminal packings 5 are configured to be externally inserted into the horizontal plate portions 2A of the terminals 2 and located inside the accommodation spaces S provided in the resin molding portion 6. Such terminal packings 5 are provided in close contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the terminals 2 and the accommodation spaces S, and are configured to prevent water from entering from the rear Y2 of the accommodation spaces S.

[0020] Next, a manufacturing apparatus 10 for manufacturing the terminal holding portion 20 in the terminal block 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a mold (not shown) for insert molding three terminals 2 inside the resin molding portion 6, three first inserts 11 into which the horizontal plate portions 2A of the terminals 2 are inserted, and pairs of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 corresponding to the first inserts 11. The mold is formed in a box shape capable of forming the resin molding portion 6 while supporting the three terminals 2 at predetermined positions.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the first insert 11 is configured as a cylindrical first insert body 110 into which the terminal 2 can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes 111, 111 provided in the first insert body 110 into which a pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 are inserted, respectively. The first insert body 110 is formed in a rectangular tube shape with an upper wall 112 and a lower wall 113 facing each other in the vertical direction Z, and a pair of side walls 114, 114 facing each other in the left-right direction X. The horizontal plate portion 2A of the terminal 2 is inserted into the interior of this first insert body 110.

[0023] As shown in Figure 6, these pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are provided at the rear end of the first insert body 110. Of the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, one is provided in the upper wall 112 and the other in the lower wall 113. Furthermore, the pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are provided in the center of the left-right direction X (center in the width direction) and in positions opposite each other in the up-down direction Z on each wall 112, 113.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, the pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 are provided in a rod shape and are configured to be inserted into a pair of insertion holes 111, 111 provided in the first insert 11. With each terminal 2 inserted into the first insert body 110, the pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 are inserted into the insertion holes 111, and are configured to position each terminal 2 in the vertical Z direction.

[0025] When manufacturing the terminal holding part 20 using such a mold, a first insert 11, and a pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2, the front end of each terminal 2 is brought close to the rear end of each first insert 11 and inserted. When each terminal 2 reaches a predetermined position, the insertion of each terminal 2 is stopped, and the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are inserted into the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, and each terminal 2 is sandwiched above and below by the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 to position each terminal 2. In this state, molten resin is poured into the mold and the resin is allowed to harden. After this, the molded product is removed from the mold, the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2 are pulled out from the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, and each first insert 11 is moved forward Y1 of each terminal 2 and pulled out. In this way, a first passage 62A is formed in the portion where the first insert 11 is installed, and second passages 62B1 and 62B2 are formed in the portions where the second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 are installed. In this way, a terminal holding portion 20 into which each terminal 2 is inserted is formed.

[0026] Next, when assembling the terminal block 1, the terminal holding part 20, holder 3, holding part packing 4, and terminal packing 5 are manufactured in advance. The terminal holding part 20 is formed by insert molding three terminals 2 into a resin molded part 6. In other words, the three terminals 2 and the resin molded part 6 are formed as a single unit.

[0027] First, the terminal packing 5 is fitted onto the horizontal plate portion 2A of each terminal 2 provided on the terminal holding portion 20, and the terminal packing 5 is moved to the rear Y2 of the terminal 2. At this time, in the housing space S, the air behind the terminal packing 5 Y2 is discharged to the outside through the first passage 62A and the second passage 62B1, and also discharged to the outside through the first passage 62A and the second passage 62B2. In this way, the terminal packing 5 is attached to the predetermined position of each terminal 2, and the housing space S is sealed by the terminal packing 5.

[0028] Next, the holder 3 is moved backward Y2 so that each insertion portion 32 of the holder 3 is brought closer to the tip of each terminal 2 and the terminal 2 is inserted into the interior of each insertion portion 32. As the movement progresses, the insertion portions 32 are housed in their respective housing spaces S. Further movement is achieved, and the holder body 31 comes into contact with the front end surface of the cylindrical portion 63 in the resin molded portion 6. After this, the holding portion packing 4 is fitted onto the terminal holding portion 20 and housed in the packing housing portion 610. In this way, the assembly of the holder 3 to the terminal holding portion 20 is completed. This completes the assembly of the terminal block 1.

[0029] According to the embodiment described above, the terminal holding part 20 comprises a plate-shaped terminal 2, an embedded part 61 in which a part of the terminal 2 is embedded, and a cylindrical part 63 that is continuously provided with the embedded part 61 and surrounds the terminal 2, and a ring-shaped terminal packing 5 (packing) that is fitted onto the terminal 2 and seals the housing space S (internal space) of the cylindrical part 63, and the embedded part 61 is provided with an air venting mechanism 62 that discharges air from behind Y2 (the side in the direction of external insertion of the terminal packing 5) in the housing space S to the outside. As a result, with the provision of the air venting mechanism 62, air behind Y2 of the terminal packing 5 in the housing space S is discharged to the outside through the air venting mechanism 62 (air is vented).Therefore, when each terminal packing 5 is fitted onto each terminal 2, the insertion force required when inserting the terminal packing 5 is reduced, and the workability of assembling the terminal packing 5 is improved.

[0030] Furthermore, the air venting mechanism 62 has a first passage 62A whose front end 62Af (one end) is in communication with the housing space S (internal space) and extends rearward Y2 (away from the terminal packing 5 (packing)), and second passages 62B1 and 62B2 which are continuous with the rear end 62Ab (the other end) of the first passage 62A and extend radially in the cylindrical portion 63. The second passages 62B1 and 62B2 are provided in pairs on both sides of the terminal 2 in the radial direction (up and down direction Z). When the terminal packing 5 is externally fitted (inserted) onto the terminal 2, a configuration is achieved in which the insertion force required to insert the terminal packing 5 is reduced.

[0031] Furthermore, the manufacturing apparatus 10 for manufacturing the packing assembly includes a mold for inserting the terminal 2 and forming the terminal holding portion 20, a first insert 11 into which the terminal 2 is inserted and which forms the first passage 62A, and a pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 for forming a pair of second passages 62B1 and 62B2. The pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 are provided in a rod shape, and the first insert 11 is configured to have a cylindrical first insert body 110 into which the terminal 2 can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes 111, 111 provided in the first insert body 110 into which the pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 are inserted, respectively. With this configuration, during insert molding, the terminal 2 is sandwiched and supported by the pair of second inserts 12A1 and 12A2 inserted into the pair of insertion holes 111, 111, thereby improving the positional accuracy of the terminal 2.

[0032] Furthermore, the pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are positioned opposite each other in the vertical direction Z (a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body 110). This improves the positional accuracy of the terminal 2 in the terminal holding portion 20 in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] Furthermore, the pair of insertion holes 111, 111 are located in the center of the left-right direction X (the width direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body 110). As a result, the terminal 2 is stably supported within the mold by the pair of second inserts 12A1, 12A2. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the terminal 2 in the terminal holding section 20 is further improved.

[0034] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes other configurations that can achieve the objectives of the present invention, and the following modifications are also included in the present invention.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a terminal block 1 is described as an example comprising a terminal holding portion 20 for holding three terminals 2, a holder 3 assembled to the terminal holding portion 20 to support each terminal 2, a ring-shaped holding portion packing 4 interposed between the terminal holding portion 20 and the periphery of the assembly hole, and a ring-shaped terminal packing 5 (packing) attached to each terminal 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At a minimum, any packing assembly comprising a terminal holding portion 20 and terminal packing 5 is acceptable. In this case, the holder 3 and the holding portion packing 4 may be omitted.

[0036] Furthermore, although three terminals 2 are provided in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. At least one terminal 2 is required, and there may be two, or four or more terminals 2.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the air venting mechanism 62 is configured to include a first passage 62A provided around the terminal 2 with the front-rear direction Y as the axis, and a pair of second passages 62B1 and 62B2 continuous with the first passage 62A, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The air venting mechanism may be configured to include a first passage 62A and one second passage continuous with the first passage 62A and extending radially in the cylindrical portion 63, or, for example, if there is one or two terminals 2, three or more second passages may be provided.

[0038] Furthermore, while the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention is particularly illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments described above in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and objectives of the present invention. Therefore, the limiting descriptions of shape, material, etc. disclosed above are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Accordingly, descriptions of components with some or all of these limitations removed are included in the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 2 terminals 20 Terminal holding part 5 Terminal gaskets (gaskets) 61 Buried section 63 Cylindrical part 62 Air venting mechanism 62A First aisle 62Af Front end (one end) of the first aisle 62Ab Rear end (other end) of the first aisle 62B1, 62B2: A pair of second aisles 10 Manufacturing equipment 11 First birth 110 First nesting body 111, 111 Pair of insertion holes 12A1, 12A2 A pair of second nesting units S. Storage space (internal space of the cylindrical part) Z vertical direction (orthogonal direction perpendicular to the axis of the first nested body) X: Left-right direction (width direction perpendicular to the axis of the first nested body)

Claims

1. A terminal holding part comprising a plate-shaped terminal, a buried portion in which a part of the terminal is embedded, and a cylindrical portion that is provided continuously with the buried portion and surrounds the terminal, The terminal is fitted externally to a ring-shaped packing that seals the internal space of the cylindrical portion, The embedded portion is provided with an air venting mechanism that discharges air from the side of the packing in the external insertion direction within the internal space to the outside. The air venting mechanism includes a first passage, one end of which is provided in communication with the internal space and extends away from the packing, and a second passage, the second passage extending radially in the cylindrical portion, with one end in the radial direction being continuous with the first passage and the other end in the radial direction communicating with the outside. The packing assembly is characterized in that the second passage is provided in a pair on both sides of the terminal in the radial direction.

2. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a packing assembly as described in claim 1, The device comprises a mold for inserting the terminal and forming the terminal holding portion, a first insert into which the terminal is inserted and which forms the first passage, and a pair of second inserts for forming the pair of second passages. The pair of second inserts are arranged in a rod shape, The manufacturing apparatus is characterized in that the first insert comprises a cylindrical first insert body into which the terminal can be inserted, and a pair of insertion holes provided in the first insert body into which each of the pair of second inserts is inserted.

3. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the pair of insertion holes are provided at positions opposite to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body.

4. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pair of insertion holes are provided in the central part of the width direction perpendicular to the axis of the first insert body.

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