Terminal Block State Display via Longitudinal Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal blocks face challenges in accurately notifying users of the connection state of electric wires, particularly in small-sized designs where the rotation region of the display portion may not be sufficiently secured, leading to incorrect exposure of the display portion regardless of the connection state.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design featuring a state display portion supported by a housing, rotatable around a rotation axis, and a movable display member with a contact portion and force transmitting mechanism, allowing the display to change between connected and non-connected states, ensuring accurate visualization of the connection state even in small-sized blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the distance from the rotation axis to the display portion is increased to improve visibility, then the display can be seen more clearly, but the rotation region cannot be sufficiently secured in small terminal blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the state display portion from a lateral rotation near the opening to a longitudinal rotation along the wire insertion direction. This dimensional change allows the display to rotate within the depth of the accommodating portion rather than requiring lateral space, securing the rotation region within the terminal block's volume while maintaining visibility through the confirmation window.
2Volume of moving object
If the terminal block size is reduced to improve compactness, then the device becomes more compact, but the rotation region of the display portion cannot be sufficiently secured
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the rotation dimension from lateral to longitudinal, the patent enables the state display portion to rotate within the accommodating portion's depth. This allows compact terminal block design while ensuring the display can reliably indicate connection states through the confirmation window, maintaining notification accuracy despite reduced overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the state display portion and confirmation window at specific locations within the housing - the display at the bottom of the accommodating portion and the window on the side wall. This local optimization ensures that the rotation region is adequately secured in the specific area where it is needed, while the rest of the terminal block can maintain compact dimensions.
3Illumination intensity
If the display portion is always exposed from the confirmation window, then visibility is maintained, but the user cannot be notified of the accurate connection state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the state display portion rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its rotational angle based on the connection state. When a conductor is inserted, the display rotates to a first angle to indicate connection; when removed, it rotates to a second angle to indicate disconnection. This dynamic behavior ensures accurate information notification while maintaining visibility through the confirmation window.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively secures the rotation region of the state display portion, enabling users to accurately determine the connection state of electric wires, enhancing reliability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic portion formed at the other end to be elastically deformable with respect to the fixed portion and disposed in the accommodating portion so that the elastic portion clamps the conductor portion inserted into the accommodating portion from the first opening portion with the terminal electrode portion
Implementation Method 2
a state display portion supported by the housing to be rotatable around a rotation axis disposed adjacent to the terminal connection surface of the accommodating portion and extending in a direction intersecting an arrangement direction from the first opening portion of the terminal connection surface to the third opening portion thereof and configured to display whether the conductor portion and the terminal electrode portion are in the connected state or the non-connected state at the third opening portion
Implementation Method 3
a movable display member disposed in the accommodating portion and including a main body portion which extends in a direction intersecting the terminal connection surface and is capable of reciprocating in the direction intersecting the terminal connection surface
Implementation Method 4
a rotating mechanism portion disposed to the main body portion and adjacent to the terminal connection surface and the state display portion and configured to rotate the state display portion so that display of the state display portion can be changed between the connection state and the non-connection state according to the reciprocating movement of the main body portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A terminal block (1) includes a state display portion (40) which displays whether a conductor portion and a terminal electrode portion (20) are in a connected state or a non-connected state at a third opening portion (113) and a movable display member (50). The movable display member (50) has a main body portion (51) capable of reciprocating in a direction intersecting a terminal connection surface (11), a contact portion (52) capable of coming into contact with a conductor portion inserted from a first opening portion (111) into an accommodating portion (12), a force transmitting portion (53) which moves the main body portion (51) toward the terminal connection surface (11) when the conductor portion is inserted from the first opening portion (111) to the accommodating portion (12), and rotating mechanism portions (54, 55) which rotate the state display portion (40).