Terminal block

Abstract

To enable the electrical continuity state of a terminal block to be discriminated even when a display unit has gone wrong and improve the safety of operators.SOLUTION: According to the present embodiment, the terminal block comprises a first terminal, a display unit, and an alarm unit. A cable is connected to the first terminal. The display unit issues information that represents an alarm when the light quantity of the display unit is lower than or equal to a prescribed value and a voltage is applied to the first terminal. The alarm unit issues information that represents an alarm when the light quantity of the display unit is lower than or equal to a prescribed value and a voltage is applied to the first terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to terminal blocks.

Background Art

[0002] Two opposing terminals in a terminal block are short-circuited inside the terminal block, so different cables can be electrically connected through the terminal block. This terminal block is connected in a state where the main circuit such as a distribution board is directly connected to a breaker. There are multiple such terminal blocks in the panel, and often, cable connections to the terminal blocks are made while other circuits in the panel are being charged.

[0003] Therefore, some conventional terminal blocks have a display unit for checking the energized state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, due to a failure of the display unit, there is a risk that the energized state cannot be confirmed. <00OO030> This embodiment enables determination of the energized state of the terminals in the terminal block even when the display unit fails, improving the safety of operators.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to this embodiment, the terminal block comprises a first terminal, a display unit, and a warning unit. A cable is connected to the first terminal. The display unit emits warning information when the light intensity of the display unit is below a predetermined value and a voltage is applied to the first terminal. The warning unit emits warning information when the light intensity of the display unit is below a predetermined value and a voltage is applied to the first terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this embodiment, even if the display unit malfunctions, the power supply status of the terminal block can be determined, thereby improving worker safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A top view showing a schematic configuration example of the terminal block according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of a terminal block configuration. [Figure 3] A top view showing a schematic configuration example of a terminal block according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal block according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal block according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, a terminal block according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are merely examples of embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, in the drawings referenced in this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals are used for identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated descriptions may be omitted. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings may differ from the actual ratios for illustrative purposes, and some components may be omitted from the drawings.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of a terminal block according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment comprises a base 10, a plurality of terminals 20, a plurality of terminals 30, a plurality of conductors 40, a detection circuit unit 50, a display unit 60, and a warning unit 70. Figure 1 also shows a plurality of cables L2 and L4.

[0012] The base 10 is formed from a material that combines insulation and durability, such as polycarbonate resin or polyphenylene ether resin. Terminal 20 located on one side of base 10 is electrically connected to terminal 30 located on the other side of base 10 by a conductor 40 inside base 10. Therefore, for example, by connecting the internal wiring cable L2 to terminal 20 and the external cable L4 to terminal 30, it is possible to electrically connect the internal wiring and the external cable via base 10. In this embodiment, terminal 20 corresponds to the first terminal and terminal 30 corresponds to the second terminal.

[0013] The detection circuit 50 illuminates the display unit 60 in response to the alternating current or direct current flowing through any of the multiple conductors 40. This detection circuit 50 is a circuit that illuminates the display unit 60 using a current generated in response to the alternating current or direct current flowing through any of the multiple conductors 40. The magnetic core 51 of the detection circuit 50 has, for example, a C-ring shape, with an air gap formed in a part thereof. When an alternating current or direct current flows through any of the multiple conductors 40, a magnetic field is generated inside this magnetic core 51. In this embodiment, the current flowing through any of the multiple conductors 40 may be referred to as the current under measurement.

[0014] The secondary winding 52 of the detection circuit 50 is wound N times around a portion of the circumferential direction of the magnetic core 51. When feedback current (±) is conducted through this secondary winding 52, it generates a magnetic field in the opposite direction to the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the multiple conductors 40. The winding direction and number of turns N of the secondary winding 52 can be appropriately set according to the operating conditions of the detection circuit 50. Further details of the detection circuit 50 will be described later.

[0015] The display unit 60 is constituted by, for example, a light emitting diode (LED: Light Emitting Diode). As described above, when an alternating current or a direct current flows through any one of the plurality of conductors 40, the display unit 60 emits light by the current generated by the detection circuit unit 50. That is, when a current is flowing through any one of the plurality of terminals 20, the display unit 60 emits light as the current flows. Note that the light emitting diode according to the present embodiment corresponds to the light emitting element.

[0016] The warning unit 70 emits information indicating a warning when a voltage is applied to any one of the plurality of conductors 40 and the light emission amount of the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value. That is, the warning unit 70 emits information indicating a warning when a voltage is applied to any one of the plurality of terminals 20 and the plurality of terminals 30 and the light emission amount of the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value.

[0017] Further, the light detection circuit 71 included in the warning unit 70 has, for example, a light detection sensor whose resistance changes according to the received light amount. Thereby, the warning unit 70 emits information indicating a warning according to the resistance variation of the light detection sensor.

[0018] When the light emission amount of the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value, the light detection circuit 71 supplies a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the plurality of conductors 40 to the buzzer 72. That is, when the light emission amount of the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value, the buzzer 72 emits a sound as information indicating a warning by a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the plurality of conductors 40. The light shielding unit 73 shields external light and introduces the light emitted by the display unit 60 into the light detection circuit 71. Note that the details of the warning unit 70 will be described later.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal block 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a side view of the magnetic core 51 is shown. The detection circuit unit 50 includes the above-described magnetic core 51, the secondary winding 52, the Hall element 53, the amplifier 54, and the converter 55.

[0020] The detection circuit unit 50 generates a current corresponding to the current flowing through any one of the plurality of conductors 40 under the condition that the magnetic flux density of the magnetic core 51 is extremely close to 0, for example, by a magnetic balance method. Since the detection circuit unit 50 is, for example, a magnetic balance type, the current flowing through any one of the plurality of conductors 40 can generate a current corresponding to the flowing current regardless of whether it is an alternating current or a direct current.

[0021] The Hall element 53 is, for example, a linear Hall element and is disposed in the gap portion of the magnetic core 51. That is, the Hall element 53 is disposed in the opposing gaps of the C-shaped ring magnetic core 51 and converts the magnetic flux density of the magnetic core 51 into a voltage. The output voltage of the Hall element 53 is, for example, several tens of millivolts.

[0022] The amplifier 54 is, for example, an operational amplifier. One end thereof is connected to the output terminal of the Hall element 53, and the other end is connected to one end of the converter 55. The amplifier 54 amplifies and adjusts the output voltage of the Hall element 53 to, for example, several volts and supplies it to the converter 55.

[0023] The other end of the converter 55 is connected to one end of the secondary winding 52. Also, the other end of the secondary winding 52 is connected to the node n0. One end of each of the ground resistance R0 and the display unit 60 is connected to the node n0. The other ends of the ground resistance R0 and the display unit 60 are connected to the ground terminal. The converter 55 converts the output voltage of the amplifier 54 into a feedback current and supplies it to the secondary winding 52.

[0024] With such a configuration, the secondary winding 52 flows a feedback current through the secondary winding 52 so as to cancel the magnetic flux generated by the measured current. At this time, the magnetic flux generated by the measured current and the magnetic flux generated by the feedback current cancel each other out, and when the magnetic flux of the magnetic core becomes infinitely close to 0, the feedback current flowing through the secondary winding 52 becomes 1 / N of the measured current. In other words, the Hall element 53 outputs a voltage so as to flow a feedback current that cancels the magnetic flux generated by the measured current. Thereby, the display unit 60 emits light with an intensity corresponding to the measured current.

[0025] The warning unit 70 includes the aforementioned light detection circuit 71, buzzer 72, and light shielding unit 73, and a plurality of rectifiers 74. One end of each of the plurality of wires 40a is connected to each corresponding conductor 40. The other end of each of the plurality of wires 40a is connected to one end of each rectifier 74. The other end of each rectifier 74 is connected to node n1. The rectifiers 74 are, for example, bridge-type full-wave rectifiers composed of diodes.

[0026] The light detection circuit 71 includes a light detection sensor 75 and a resistor R1. The light detection sensor 75 and resistor R1 are connected in series between node n1 and the ground terminal via node n2. The buzzer 72 is connected between node n2 and the ground terminal.

[0027] The resistance of the light detection sensor 75 is, for example, on the order of 1 megaohm when no light is present, and on the order of several kiloohms when light is present. Resistor R1 is, for example, 10 megaohms. The resistance values ​​of the light detection sensor 75, resistor R1, and resistor R0 can be set appropriately according to the operating conditions, etc.

[0028] With this configuration, a voltage corresponding to the conductor 40 is applied to each wire 40a. As a result, a DC voltage V corresponding to the voltage of each wire 40a is generated at node n1.

[0029] The light detection circuit 71 is configured to divide the DC voltage V and apply a first voltage V1 between nodes n3 and n4 when the amount of light irradiated is less than a predetermined value. On the other hand, when the amount of light irradiated is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, it divides the DC voltage V and applies a second voltage V2 between nodes n3 and n4. The second voltage V2 is, for example, several hundredths of the magnitude of the first voltage V1. The buzzer 72 generates sound at a voltage, for example, several times the magnitude of the second voltage V2.

[0030] For example, when a DC voltage of 200 volts is applied to conductor 40, the first voltage V1 will be approximately 20 volts, and the second voltage V2 will be less than 0.1 volts. The buzzer 72 is, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer, and its operating voltage range is, for example, 1 to 220 volts. On the other hand, when an AC voltage of 200 volts is applied to conductor 40, for example, the maximum value of the first voltage V1 will be approximately 30 volts, and the second voltage V2 will be less than 0.1 volts.

[0031] As a result, the buzzer 72 generates sound when voltage is applied to any of the conductors 40 and the light emission of the display unit 60 is less than a predetermined value. On the other hand, the buzzer 72 does not generate sound when no voltage is applied to any of the conductors 40, or when the light emission of the display unit 60 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0032] As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal block 1 illuminates the display unit 60 when AC or DC current flows through any of the multiple conductors 40. This makes it possible to monitor the energized state of cables L2 and L4. Furthermore, the warning unit 70 emits warning information when voltage is applied to any of the multiple conductors 40 and the amount of light emitted by the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value. Therefore, even if the display unit 60 malfunctions, it is possible to recognize the malfunction of the display unit 60 and monitor the charging state of the terminal block 1.

[0033] (Second Embodiment) The warning unit 70 of the terminal block 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the terminal block 1 according to the first embodiment in that it emits light as warning information. The differences from the terminal block 1 according to the first embodiment will be explained below.

[0034] Figure 3 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of a terminal block according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal block 1 according to this embodiment differs from the terminal block 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a light-emitting diode 76 instead of a buzzer 72.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the terminal block 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the light-emitting diode 76 and the second resistor R2 are connected between node n2 and the ground terminal. For example, the light-emitting diode 60 and the light-emitting diode 76 may have different light-emitting colors. For example, the light-emitting diode 60 may be blue or green, and the light-emitting diode 76 may be red.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, when an AC or DC current flows through any of the multiple conductors 40, the display unit 60 lights up in blue or green. This makes it possible to monitor the energized state of cables L2 and L4. Furthermore, the warning unit 70 lights up red as a warning when a voltage is applied to any of the multiple conductors 40 and the amount of light emitted by the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value. Therefore, even if the display unit 60 malfunctions, it is possible to recognize the malfunction of the display unit 60 and monitor the charging state of the terminal block 1.

[0037] (Third embodiment) The detection circuit section 50a of the terminal block 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the terminal block 1 according to the second embodiment in that it generates a voltage in response to the voltage applied to any of the multiple terminals 20. The differences from the terminal block 1 according to the second embodiment will be explained below.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the terminal block 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the detection circuit section 50a shares its configuration with the warning section 70. That is, the detection circuit section 50a has a plurality of rectifiers 74 and a third resistor R3.

[0039] The light-emitting diode 76 and the third resistor R3 are connected in series. One end of the light-emitting diode 76 and the third resistor R3 are connected to node n1, and the other end is connected to the ground terminal. The resistance value of the third resistor R3 can be set as appropriate according to the operating conditions.

[0040] As a result, the detection circuit 50a generates a voltage according to the voltage applied to any of the terminals 20 and supplies it to the light-emitting diode 76. Therefore, the light-emitting diode 76 emits light in, for example, blue or green, according to the voltage applied to any of the terminals 20.

[0041] As described above, according to this embodiment, when voltage is applied to any of the multiple terminals 20, the display unit 60 lights up in blue or green. This makes it possible to monitor the energized state of cables L2 and L4. Furthermore, the warning unit 70 lights up red as a warning when voltage is applied to any of the multiple conductors 40 and the amount of light emitted by the display unit 60 is below a predetermined value. Therefore, even if the display unit 60 malfunctions, it is possible to recognize the malfunction of the display unit 60 and monitor the charging state of the terminal block 1.

[0042] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 1: Terminal block, 10: Base, 20: Terminal, 30: Terminal, 40: Conductor, 50, 50a: Detection circuit section, 52: Secondary winding, 53: Hall element, 54: Amplifier, 55: Converter, 60: Display section, 70: Warning section, 72: Buzzer, 74: Rectifier, 75: Light detection sensor, L2, L4: Cable.

Claims

1. The first terminal to which the cable is connected, A detection circuit unit that generates a current according to the current flowing through a conductor connected between the first terminal and the second terminal facing it, A light-emitting element that emits light in accordance with the current generated by the detection circuit, A light detection sensor is provided, in which one end is connected to the other end of a first resistor, one end of which is electrically connected to the first terminal, and the other end is electrically connected to a low potential side, and the resistance decreases in accordance with the amount of light received for the light emission, A warning unit having one end connected to the one end of the light detection sensor and the other end electrically connected to the low potential side, which emits warning information when a predetermined voltage is applied to the first terminal and the amount of light received is less than a predetermined value, A terminal block equipped with this feature.

2. The aforementioned detection circuit section is A C-shaped magnetic core is arranged to surround the conductor, A Hall element is placed in the opposing gap of the C-shaped ring and converts the magnetic flux density of the magnetic core into a voltage, The terminal block according to claim 1, further comprising at least a conversion element that converts the voltage into the current.

3. The aforementioned detection circuit section is The C-shaped magnetic core further comprises a secondary winding wound around its circumference, The terminal block according to claim 2, wherein one end of the secondary winding is connected to the output terminal of the conversion element and the other end is connected to the light-emitting element.

4. The terminal block according to claim 3, wherein one end of the warning unit is electrically connected to the first terminal via a rectifier.

5. The terminal block according to claim 4, wherein the warning unit emits at least one of sound and light as information indicating the warning.

6. The system further includes a detection circuit that generates a voltage according to the voltage applied to the first terminal, The terminal block according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element emits light in accordance with the voltage generated by the detection circuit.

7. A plurality of first terminals including the first terminal, Each of the plurality of first terminals faces a plurality of second terminals, including the second terminal, The device comprises a plurality of conductors connected between each of the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals facing each of them, The terminal block according to claim 2, wherein the C-shaped magnetic core is configured to surround the plurality of conductors.

Images