Terminal block, and I / O unit

Abstract

A terminal block (20) comprises a plurality of inserted portions (26) and a plurality of release operators (28), wherein: the inserted portions (26) include first inserted portions (26A) and second inserted portions (26B) which are arranged in a row in a first direction, and which have mutually different positions in relation to the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and the plurality of release operators (28) are arranged in the first direction, in different positions to the first inserted portions (26A) and the second inserted portions (26B) in relation to the second direction.

Description

Terminal Blocks and I / O Units

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal block and an I / O unit including the terminal block.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-242486 discloses a terminal block (terminal block device). The terminal block is attached to an electrical device. The terminal block includes a plurality of insertion portions (terminals) and a plurality of release operators (push buttons). The plurality of release operators correspond to different insertion portions.

[0003] All of the insertion sections according to JP 2007-242486 A are aligned in a vertical line. It is preferable that the spacing between adjacent insertion sections in the vertical direction be a certain length. However, in this case, the terminal block becomes large in the vertical direction.

[0004] In order to prevent the terminal block from becoming too large in the height direction, it has been considered to arrange the multiple inserted parts in two rows. By arranging the multiple inserted parts in two rows, the terminal block can be prevented from becoming too large in the height direction.

[0005] However, in this case, two rows of the inserted portions are formed. These two rows are aligned in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the height direction. In other words, the inserted portions are aligned in the width direction. As a result, the terminal block becomes larger in the width direction.

[0006] In view of the above, there is a problem in that it is difficult to construct a small and thin terminal block.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention is a terminal block comprising a plurality of inserted portions into which a plurality of external terminals are inserted, each of which is provided with a connection terminal connected to the inserted external terminal, and a plurality of release operators for releasing the connection between the plurality of external terminals and the plurality of connection terminals, wherein the plurality of inserted portions include a plurality of first inserted portions arranged in a row along a first direction, and a plurality of second inserted portions arranged in a row along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the plurality of second inserted portions are arranged in positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions in the first direction, and the plurality of release operators corresponding to the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of release operators corresponding to the plurality of second inserted portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of second inserted portions in the second direction.

[0009] A second aspect of the invention is an I / O unit comprising the terminal block according to the first aspect, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape, and the thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

[0010] According to the present invention, the terminal block can be made small and thin.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a communication system (station) having an I / O unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram of the I / O unit of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a front view of a front unit. FIG. 3A is an end view taken along line IIIA-IIIA of FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is an end view showing a state in which an external terminal is inserted into the first insertion portion in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is an end view showing a state in which an operator operates a release operation lever in FIG. 3B. FIG. 4 is an end view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. FIG. 5A is a front view of a front unit according to Comparative Example 1 to which this embodiment is not applied. FIG. 5B is a front view of a front unit according to Comparative Example 2 to which this embodiment is not applied. FIG. 5C is a front view of a front unit according to Comparative Example 3 to which this embodiment is not applied. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a front unit according to Modification Example 1. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating multiple connector units stacked in the height direction. FIG. 7A is a front view of a front unit according to Modification Example 2. FIG. 7B is a front view of another example of a front unit according to Modification Example 2. Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a front unit according to Modification 3. Fig. 8B is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a first unit. Fig. 8C is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a second unit.

[0012] [Embodiment] Fig. 1A is a diagram showing a communication system (station) 11 having an I / O unit 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1B is a diagram showing the configuration of the I / O unit 10 of Fig. 1A.

[0013] The multiple arrows shown in each drawing indicate the directions (height, width, front-rear) used in the following description. The height direction, width direction, and front-rear direction are perpendicular to each other. The width direction and front-rear direction are parallel to the horizontal plane. The width direction is a general term for the L direction and the R direction. The L direction and the R direction are opposite to each other.

[0014] The communication system 11 is a system for inputting and outputting signals between a control device and a plurality of devices so that the control device and the plurality of devices can communicate with each other. The communication system 11 includes a plurality of I / O units 10. The plurality of I / O units 10 are arranged in the width direction.

[0015] The control device is, for example, a numerical control device that controls a machine tool. The control device is not shown in the figure. The equipment is, for example, an actuator, a detector, etc. that are provided on the machine tool. The equipment includes an external terminal 14 and a cable 14a. The external terminal 14 is a terminal that is connected to the I / O unit 10. The cable 14a is a member that connects the equipment main body and the external terminal 14. The equipment main body is not shown in the figure.

[0016] The communication system 11 may further include an installation member 13. The installation member 13 is a member that supports the multiple I / O units 10. The installation member 13 is, for example, a DIN rail. The installation member 13 illustrated in FIG. 1A extends in the width direction. In other words, the installation member 13 is long in the width direction. In this case, the multiple I / O units 10 are arranged in series on the installation member 13. The multiple I / O units 10 are installed in front of the installation member 13.

[0017] The I / O unit 10 includes a communication processing unit 16, a base unit 18, and a front unit 20. The communication processing unit 16, the base unit 18, and the front unit 20 are arranged in a longitudinal direction. The communication processing unit 16 is disposed behind the front unit 20, and the base unit 18 is disposed behind the communication processing unit 16.

[0018] The communication processing unit 16 is a component that houses a control module 22. The control module 22 is a module that performs the processing necessary to establish communication between the above-mentioned control device and the device. The control module 22 includes, for example, a substrate on which a predetermined electric circuit is formed. The electric circuit includes, for example, a control integrated circuit (IC).

[0019] The base unit 18 is a member that supports the communication processing unit 16 so that the communication processing unit 16 can be inserted and removed. The communication processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18 in a rearward direction. The communication processing unit 16 is removed from the base unit 18 in a forward direction.

[0020] The base unit 18 includes a plurality of base terminals 24. The plurality of base terminals 24 are provided on the sides of the base unit 18. The plurality of base terminals 24 include a base terminal 24L on the side of the base unit 18 facing in the L direction and a base terminal 24R on the side of the base unit 18 facing in the R direction.

[0021] In one I / O unit 10, the multiple base terminals 24L and the multiple base terminals 24R are connected to the control module 22 when the communication processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18. Therefore, when the communication processing unit 16 is inserted into the base unit 18, the multiple base terminals 24L and the multiple base terminals 24R are connected via the control module 22.

[0022] Furthermore, when two I / O units 10 are adjacent to each other in the width direction, the base terminals 24R of the I / O unit 10 on the L-direction side are connected to the base terminals 24L of the I / O unit 10 on the R-direction side, thereby connecting the control modules 22 of the two I / O units 10 adjacent to each other in the width direction.

[0023] Furthermore, of the multiple I / O units 10 connected in series, the multiple base terminals 24L of the I / O unit 10 arranged furthest in the L direction are connected to the control device. This connects the control module 22 of that I / O unit 10 to the control device. Furthermore, the control modules 22 of the remaining I / O units 10 are connected to the control device via the control module 22 of that I / O unit 10. This means that the devices connected to each I / O unit 10 are connected to the control device via at least one I / O unit 10 (control module 22).

[0024] However, the base terminals 24R of the I / O unit 10 arranged furthest in the R direction among the multiple I / O units 10 arranged in series may be connected to the control device. Even in this case, the devices connected to each I / O unit 10 are connected to the control device via at least one I / O unit 10 (control module 22).

[0025] The front unit 20 is a terminal block that can be attached to and detached from the communication processing unit 16. The front unit 20 is attached to the communication processing unit 16 from the rear. The front unit 20 is removed from the communication processing unit 16 from the front.

[0026] The I / O unit 10 preferably has a flat plate-like external shape. The thickness direction of the flat plate is the width direction. When the I / O unit 10 has a flat plate shape that is thin in the width direction, the installation space for multiple I / O units 10 can be compact.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view of the front unit 20. FIG.

[0028] The front unit 20 will be further described below. In the following description, the height direction will also be referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the width direction will also be referred to as the short-side direction.

[0029] The front unit 20 includes a plurality of insertion sections 26 and a plurality of release operators 28 .

[0030] Each of the multiple insertion portions 26 is a portion into which an external terminal 14 is inserted. Each of the multiple insertion portions 26 has, for example, an opening 26a formed on the front surface of the front unit 20 so as to be able to fit with the external terminal 14. However, each of the multiple insertion portions 26 is not limited to the opening 26a. Each of the multiple insertion portions 26 may have a mechanism for clamping the external terminal 14.

[0031] The plurality of inserted portions 26 include a plurality of first inserted portions 26A and a plurality of second inserted portions 26B. １ Each of the plurality of second inserted portions 26B has a center C ２ However, in FIG. 2, the centers C of some of the first inserted portions 26A are １ and the centers C of some of the second inserted portions 26B. ２ The illustration of the above is omitted.

[0032] The first inserted portions 26A are arranged in a line along the height direction. The second inserted portions 26B are also arranged in a line along the height direction. However, the first inserted portions 26A and the second inserted portions 26B are arranged at different positions in the width direction.

[0033] [Correction based on Rule 91 24.07.2023] The plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B are also arranged at different positions in the height direction. ２ is the center C of the two first inserted portions 26A that sandwich it in the height direction. １ The plurality of first inserted portions 26A and the plurality of second inserted portions 26B may overlap in height.

[0034] The release operators 28 are operators provided corresponding to the respective inserted portions 26. Each of the release operators 28 is, for example, a pusher. Each inserted portion 26 is provided with a connection terminal 30 that connects to the external terminal 14 (see also FIG. 3A ). When operated by an operator, each release operator 28 releases the connection between the corresponding connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 connected to that connection terminal 30.

[0035] The release operators 28 are arranged at different positions in the width direction from the inserted sections 26. In this embodiment, all of the release operators 28 are arranged between the first inserted sections 26A and the second inserted sections 26B in the width direction. In this embodiment, all of the release operators 28 are lined up in a row in the height direction.

[0036] FIG. 3A is an end view taken along line IIIA-IIIA in FIG.

[0037] Each of the first insertion portions 26A is provided with the aforementioned connection terminal 30. The connection terminal 30 is located behind the opening 26a in the first insertion portion 26A. The connection terminal 30 is formed, for example, in the shape of a leaf spring and has elasticity. Furthermore, the connection terminal 30 of each first insertion portion 26A is connected to the control module 22 when the front unit 20 is attached to the communication processing unit 16.

[0038] FIG. 3B is an end view showing a state in which the external terminal 14 is inserted into the first inserted portion 26A in FIG. 3A.

[0039] The connection terminal 30 comes into contact with the external terminal 14 inserted into the opening 26a, thereby connecting the connection terminal 30 to the external terminal 14. By connecting the connection terminal 30 to the external terminal 14, the device and the control module 22 are connected.

[0040] Furthermore, since the connection terminals 30 are elastic, they can press the external terminals 14 in the width direction. By being pressed in the width direction, the external terminals 14 are locked in the first inserted portions 26A. In the example of Fig. 3B, the connection terminals 30 press the external terminals 14 in the L direction.

[0041] FIG. 3C is an end view showing the state when the operator operates the release operation element 28 in FIG. 3B.

[0042] The operator can push the release operator 28 rearward. This pushing operation causes the release operator 28 to interpose itself between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14. When the release operator 28 interposes itself between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14, the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 are released from contact with each other. When the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 are released from contact with each other, the connection terminal 30 is released from being pressed down on the external terminal 14. When the connection terminal 30 is no longer pressed down on the external terminal 14, the operator can easily remove the external terminal 14 from the first inserted portion 26A.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an end view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0044] The connection terminals 30 are also provided in the second inserted portions 26B. Preferably, the internal structure of each second inserted portion 26B and the internal structure of the first inserted portion 26A are substantially symmetrical with respect to each other in the width direction, with the release operator 28 at the center (see also FIGS. 3A and 4). This allows the connection terminals 30, release operator 28, and other components to be standardized across all inserted portions 26.

[0045] The above is an example of the configuration of the front unit 20. The positions of the first inserted portions 26A in the width direction may be shifted. １ Similarly, the positions of the centers C of the plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the width direction may be different from each other. ２ The positions in the width direction of the respective layers may also differ from each other.

[0046] FIG. 5A is a front view of a front unit 32A in a comparative example 1 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0047] The front unit 32A has a plurality of insertion portions 26 and a plurality of release operating elements 28 arranged alternately in a row along the height direction. This front unit 32A has at least the problems described below.

[0048] The first problem with the front unit 32A is that it is too large in the height direction. Since the front unit 32A has multiple insertion sections 26 and multiple release operators 28 arranged alternately in a row along the height direction, the greater the number of insertion sections 26 and the greater the number of release operators 28, the greater the likelihood that the front unit 32A will become large in the height direction.

[0049] A second problem with the front unit 32A is poor operability for the operator. For example, an operator connects an external terminal 14 to each of the multiple insertion receptacles 26. In this operation, an external terminal 14 is connected to a relatively upper insertion receptacle 26 among the multiple insertion receptacles 26 arranged in the vertical direction. In this case, the cable 14a connected to the external terminal 14 hangs down, and other insertion receptacles 26 are hidden behind the cable 14a. Because the insertion receptacle 26 is hidden behind the cable 14a, it becomes difficult for the operator to connect another external terminal 14 to the insertion receptacle 26 hidden behind the cable 14a.

[0050] Also, for example, an operator operates one of the multiple release operators 28. During this operation, the external terminal 14 is connected to at least one of the two insertion sections 26 that are adjacent in the height direction to the release operator 28 that is the target of operation. In this case, there is a risk that the external terminal 14 will get in the way of the operator attempting to operate the release operator 28.

[0051] The second problem of the front unit 32A can be resolved to some extent by increasing the distance between the insertion receptacles 26 and the release operation element 28 that are adjacent in the height direction. However, when the distance between the insertion receptacles 26 and the release operation element 28 that are adjacent in the height direction is increased, the first problem described above becomes even worse.

[0052] FIG. 5B is a front view of a front unit 32B in a comparative example 2 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0053] In order to solve the first problem of the front unit 32A, it has been considered to provide the multiple insertion portions 26 and the multiple release operators 28 at different positions in the width direction. That is, the front unit 32B shown in FIG. 5B has been considered. In this front unit 32B, the multiple insertion portions 26 and the multiple release operators 28 are provided at different positions in the width direction. The front unit 32B is smaller in height than the front unit 32A.

[0054] However, the front unit 32B is still large. That is, in the front unit 32B, multiple insertion receptacles 26 are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. The narrow spacing between adjacent insertion receptacles 26 may impair operator operability. For example, when an external terminal 14 is already connected to one of two adjacent insertion receptacles 26, the operator inserts another external terminal 14 into the other vacant insertion receptacle 26. If the spacing between the two insertion receptacles 26 is narrow, the already connected external terminal 14 may interfere with the operator's work. In light of this, the vertical spacing between adjacent insertion receptacles 26 needs to be wide enough to avoid impairing operator operability. As a result, while the front unit 32B can be made smaller than the front unit 32A, it has the problem of having to be designed to be larger in the vertical direction in consideration of the above-mentioned spacing.

[0055] FIG. 5C is a front view of a front unit 32C in a comparative example 3 to which this embodiment is not applied.

[0056] The front unit 32C shown in FIG. 5C is considered as a terminal block that is smaller in height than the front unit 32A or 32B. In the front unit 32C, the multiple insertion portions 26 and the multiple release operators 28 are provided at different positions in the width direction. In addition, in the front unit 32C, the multiple insertion portions 26 are arranged in multiple rows. In this case, simply considered, the front unit 32C can be made less than half the height of the front unit 32B.

[0057] However, if the multiple insertion receptacles 26 are simply arranged in multiple rows, as shown in FIG. 5C , at least two insertion receptacles 26 arranged at the same height and their corresponding two release controls 28 are aligned widthwise. In this case, the front unit 32C is simply twice as large in width as the front units 32A and 32B. While this example considers two rows of the multiple insertion receptacles 26, if the number of rows of the multiple insertion receptacles 26 were three or more, the width of the front unit 32C would be even larger. Even if such a front unit 32C is small in height, it is not suitable for a flat I / O unit 10, which preferably has a thin profile.

[0058] In this regard, according to this embodiment, the multiple insertion portions 26 are arranged in two rows (see also FIG. 2), which allows the front unit 20 to be smaller in height than the front units 32A and 32B.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the release operators 28 and the insertion sections 26 are arranged at different positions in the width direction, so the release operators 28 of the front unit 20 are less likely to be hidden behind the cables 14a.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first insertion sections 26A and the second insertion sections 26B are positioned at different heights. This allows the release operators 28 corresponding to the first insertion sections 26A and the release operators 28 corresponding to the second insertion sections 26B to be aligned in a row in the height direction. This makes the front unit 20 thinner than the front unit 32C.

[0061] As described above, the front unit (terminal block) 20 of this embodiment is suitable for application to a small, thin electronic device (I / O unit 10), and is easy for the operator to operate.

[0062] [Modifications] Modifications of the above embodiment are described below. However, descriptions that overlap with the above embodiment will be omitted as much as possible in the following description. Elements already described in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0063] (Modification 1) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a front unit 20A (20) according to Modification 1. FIG.

[0064] The front unit 20A includes a plurality of connector units 34. The plurality of connector units 34 are stacked in the height direction.

[0065] The front unit 20A may further include a predetermined housing 35. The housing 35 is a member that houses the stacked connector units 34. The housing 35 is formed with a plurality of openings 35a that are arranged corresponding to the plurality of insertion portions 26, and a plurality of openings 35b that are arranged corresponding to the plurality of release operators 28.

[0066] When a plurality of connector units 34 are housed in the housing 35, each opening 35a exposes the corresponding insertion portion 26 to the outside of the housing 35. When a plurality of connector units 34 are housed in the housing 35, each opening 35b exposes the corresponding release operator 28 to the outside of the housing 35.

[0067] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a plurality of connector units 34 stacked in the height direction.

[0068] The connector unit 34 includes an inserted portion 26, a release operator 28, and a connection terminal 30. In one connector unit 34, the arrangement of the inserted portion 26, the release operator 28, and the connection terminal 30 conforms to that shown in Fig. 3A or 4. The axis LA shown in Fig. 6B passes through the center of the connector unit 34 in the width direction. The axis LA is also parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0069] In the front unit 20A, one of two connector units 34 adjacent in the height direction is stacked in a state rotated 180 degrees about an axis LA parallel to the front-to-rear direction relative to the other connector unit 34. In other words, the connector units 34 whose openings 26 a are located on the L-direction side of the release operating element 28 and the connector units 34 whose openings 26 a are located on the R-direction side of the release operating element 28 are stacked alternately.

[0070] According to this modification, the inserted portion 26 of the connector unit 34 whose opening 26a is located on the L-direction side of the release operation element 28 is, for example, the first inserted portion 26A. In this case, the inserted portion 26 of the connector unit 34 whose opening 26a is located on the R-direction side of the release operation element 28 is the second inserted portion 26B.

[0071] That is, according to this modification, by stacking the multiple connector units 34, the multiple first inserted portions 26A are aligned in a line in the height direction. Also, the multiple second inserted portions 26B are aligned in a line in the height direction at positions different from the multiple first inserted portions 26A in the width direction. Furthermore, the multiple release operators 28 are aligned in a line in the height direction between the multiple first inserted portions 26A and the multiple second inserted portions 26B.

[0072] Therefore, according to this modification, a front unit 20A that provides the same effects as the front unit 20 of the embodiment can be easily manufactured by the simple method of stacking a plurality of connector units 34.

[0073] (Modification 2) FIG. 7A is a front view of a front unit 20B (20) according to Modification 2. FIG.

[0074] The arrangement order of the first inserted portion 26A, the second inserted portion 26B, and the release operator 28 in the width direction is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0075] For example, a plurality of first inserted portions 26A may be arranged between a plurality of release operators 28 and a plurality of second inserted portions 26B in the width direction (FIG. 7A). Note that a plurality of second inserted portions 26B may be arranged between a plurality of release operators 28 and a plurality of first inserted portions 26A in the width direction.

[0076] FIG. 7B is a front view of another example of the front unit 20B (20) according to the second modification.

[0077] The first insertion portions 26A and the second insertion portions 26B may overlap in the width direction, thereby making it possible to further reduce the thickness of the front unit 20B in the width direction.

[0078] (Modification 3) FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a front unit 20C (20) according to Modification 3. FIG.

[0079] Modification 1 and Modification 2 may be combined. For example, the front unit 20C includes a plurality of connector units 34 (341, 342). The plurality of connector units 34 of the front unit 20C includes a plurality of first units 341 and a plurality of second units 342. The first units 341 and the second units 342 are stacked alternately. There is no particular limitation on the number of stacked connector units 34.

[0080] The front unit 20C may further include a housing 35. The housing 35 houses a plurality of stacked connector units 34. The plurality of openings 35a and the plurality of openings 35b formed in the housing 35 are modified as appropriate according to the respective configurations of a first unit 341 and a second unit 342, which will be described later.

[0081] 8B is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the first unit 341. FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the second unit 342.

[0082] The first unit 341 includes the insertion portion 26, a release operation element 281 (28), and a connection terminal 30. The second unit 342 includes the insertion portion 26, a release operation element 282 (28), and a connection terminal 30.

[0083] The first unit 341 and the second unit 342 have openings 26a of insertion portions 26 at different widthwise positions. Accordingly, the first unit 341 and the second unit 342 may have connection terminals 30 at different widthwise positions.

[0084] Therefore, when a plurality of first units 341 and a plurality of second units 342 are stacked, the widthwise position of the opening 26a of each first unit 341 and the widthwise position of the opening 26a of each second unit 342 are different from each other.

[0085] The multiple release operators 281 and the multiple release operators 282 are arranged on the L direction side or the R direction side of the opening 26a. When each release operator 281 is arranged on the L direction side of the opening 26a, each release operator 282 is also arranged on the L direction side of the opening 26a. When each release operator 281 is arranged on the R direction side of the opening 26a, each release operator 282 is also arranged on the R direction side of the opening 26a.

[0086] Therefore, when a plurality of first units 341 and a plurality of second units 342 are stacked, a plurality of release operators 281 and a plurality of release operators 282 are aligned in a line in the height direction.

[0087] Each release operator 281 includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38 .

[0088] The first portion 36 extends in the width direction. The first portion 36 has an end 36a closer to the opening 26a and an end 36b farther from the opening 26a. At least the end 36b of the first portion 36 is exposed to the outside so that the operator can push it. The first portion 36 moves rearward in response to the operator's pushing operation. The first portion 36 also moves forward in response to the operator's release of the pushing operation.

[0089] The second portion 38 is a portion for operating the connection terminal 30 in response to the operator pressing the first portion 36. In other words, the second portion 38 is a portion for inserting itself between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14 and releasing the connection between the connection terminal 30 and the external terminal 14, similar to the release operation element 28 in FIG.

[0090] The second part 38 extends rearward from the first part 36. When the first part 36 is pressed, the second part 38 moves rearward together with the first part 36. When the first part 36 is released from the pressing operation, the second part 38 moves forward together with the first part 36.

[0091] The release operation element 282 also includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38. However, since the widthwise positions of the connection terminals 30 differ between the first unit 341 and the second unit 342, the widthwise lengths of the first portion 36 of the release operation element 282 and the first portion 36 of the release operation element 281 differ. That is, between the first portion 36 illustrated in Fig. 8B and the first portion 36 illustrated in Fig. 8C, the first portion 36 illustrated in Fig. 8C is longer in the widthwise direction.

[0092] The front unit 20C can be easily manufactured by stacking the first units 341 and the second units 342 alternately in the height direction.

[0093] (Combination of Multiple Modifications) The above-described modifications may be combined as appropriate within a range that does not cause contradictions.

[0094] [Inventions Obtained from the Embodiments] Inventions that can be understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below.

[0095] <First Invention> The first invention is a terminal block (20) comprising: a plurality of inserted portions (26) into which a plurality of external terminals (14) are inserted, each of which is provided with a connection terminal (30) connected to the inserted external terminal; and a plurality of release operators (28) for releasing the connection between the plurality of external terminals and the plurality of connection terminals, wherein the plurality of inserted portions have a plurality of first inserted portions (26A) arranged in a line along a first direction and a plurality of second inserted portions (26B) arranged in a line along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the plurality of second inserted portions are arranged in positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions in the first direction, and the plurality of release operators corresponding to the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of release operators corresponding to the plurality of second inserted portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of second inserted portions in the second direction.

[0096] This provides a terminal block suitable for application to small, thin electronic devices.

[0097] The release operators corresponding to the first inserted portions and the second inserted portions may be disposed between the first inserted portions and the second inserted portions in the second direction. This makes it possible to arrange the release operators corresponding to the first inserted portions and the second inserted portions in a substantially straight line, thereby making it possible to make the terminal block thinner.

[0098] The terminal block may have a shape in which the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a lateral direction when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, making the terminal block more suitable for application to electronic devices that are thin in the width direction.

[0099] <Second Invention> The second invention is an I / O unit (10) including the terminal block according to the first invention, wherein the I / O unit has a flat plate shape, and the thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.

[0100] This provides a terminal block suitable for application to small, thin electronic devices.

[0101] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10... I / O unit 14... external terminal 20, 20A to 20C... front unit (terminal block) 26... inserted portion 26A... first inserted portion 26B... second inserted portion 28... release operator 30... connection terminal

Claims

1. a plurality of insertion sections into which a plurality of external terminals are inserted and each of which is provided with a connection terminal to be connected to the inserted external terminal; a plurality of release operators for releasing the connections between the plurality of external terminals and the plurality of connection terminals; Equipped with The plurality of inserted portions include A plurality of first inserted portions arranged in a line along a first direction; a plurality of second inserted portions arranged in a line along the first direction at positions different from the positions of the plurality of first inserted portions in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; having the second inserted portions are disposed at positions different from the first inserted portions in the first direction, A terminal block in which the multiple release operators corresponding to the multiple first inserted portions and the multiple release operators corresponding to the multiple second inserted portions are arranged along the first direction at positions different from the multiple first inserted portions and the multiple second inserted portions with respect to the second direction.

2. 2. The terminal block according to claim 1, A terminal block, in which a plurality of release operators corresponding to a plurality of first inserted portions and a plurality of release operators corresponding to a plurality of second inserted portions are arranged between the plurality of first inserted portions and the plurality of second inserted portions in the second direction.

3. 3. The terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, The terminal block has a shape whose longitudinal direction is the first direction and whose lateral direction is the second direction when viewed from a line of sight perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

4. An I / O unit comprising the terminal block according to claim 1 or 2, The I / O unit has a flat plate shape, and a thickness direction of the flat plate shape is the second direction.