JP2002147795A - Connector structure for air conditioner and the air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the wrong connection of a connector by arranging the constitution so that the user may not make a mistake in the direction of the connection of a connector terminal case (15) to a wiring board (11) in an air conditioner. SOLUTION: The fixed terminal insertion ports (15a and 15b) of a connector terminal case (15) are made in positions dislocated from the center of that case (15), and a switch box (10) is provided with a connection regulating piece (16) which allows the correct connection of the connector terminal case (15) on one hand but inhibits the reverse connection on the other, and this connection regulating piece (16) regulates the direction in connection of the connector terminal case (15).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector structure in an air conditioner and an air conditioner having the connector concept, and more particularly to a structure for preventing erroneous connection of a connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner is generally provided with a heat exchanger,
The configuration includes a fan, a compressor, a refrigerant pipe, a control device for a refrigerant system, a control device for an electric system, and the like. Further, as described in, for example, JP-A-2000-161716, a switch box is provided at a predetermined position in the casing. A printed wiring board on which various electronic components are mounted is fixed to the switch box, and each device provided in the casing is electrically connected to the printed wiring board.

As a connector structure for connecting a printed wiring board and each device, for example, a printed wiring board side includes:
A fixed terminal is provided at a predetermined position on the printed wiring, and a connection terminal that is inserted into the fixed terminal and connected is provided at the end of a lead wire on each device side. The connection terminal is housed in a connection terminal case made of a plastic molded product.

In general, a plurality of lead wires are often connected to a board with a single connector, and in particular, two wires are often set as one set. For this reason, two connection terminals are generally built in one connection terminal case at predetermined intervals.

[0005] In the case of using two connection terminal cases configured as described above, two corresponding fixed terminals are fixed on the printed wiring board at the same interval as the connection terminals in the connection terminal case. Then, by color-coding the two lead wires, the operator determines the polarity and makes the connection.

[0006]

However, in such a connection structure, the connection terminal case may be connected to the substrate in the opposite direction, so that it is difficult to reliably prevent erroneous connection of the connector. In addition, erroneous connection on a line through which a large current flows may cause failure of components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a wrong connection of a connector by preventing a connection direction of a connection terminal case from being mistaken. That is.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a connector structure for an air conditioner, comprising a connection restricting piece for permitting a regular connection of a connection terminal case to a wiring board while prohibiting a reverse connection. The connection restricting piece regulates the direction of connection of the connection terminal case and also serves as a guide for connection.

Specifically, a solution taken by the present invention is a wiring board (11) provided with a plurality of fixed terminals (13a, 13b);
It is premised on the connector structure of the air conditioner (1) for connecting the connection terminals (14a, 14b) of the electric wiring (12a, 12b) to the connection terminal case (15) in which the connection terminals are built.

The connection terminal case (15) has an insertion opening (1) for the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) at a position offset from the center thereof.
5a, 15b), and the main components (10) of the air conditioner (1)
Alternatively, the wiring board (11) is provided with connection restriction pieces (16, 18) for restricting the direction of connection of the connection terminals (14a, 14b) to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b). Connection restriction piece (16, 18)
When connecting the connection terminals (14a, 14b) to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) in the proper orientation, the side wall surface (15c) of the connection terminal case (15)
The guide surface (16c, 18a) that guides the connection of both terminals (13a, 13b) (14a, 14b) by sliding contact, and the connection terminal case for reverse connection
(15) and connection prohibition surfaces (16c, 16d, 18b) for preventing connection of both terminals (13a, 13b) (14a, 14b).

In the above configuration, the connection restricting piece (16) is fixed to the casing (2) of the air conditioner (1) and provided integrally with the switch box (10) holding the wiring board (11). Can be.

When the switch box (10) is integrally formed with a wiring clamp (16) for holding electric wiring, the wiring clamp (16) may constitute a connection restricting piece.

In the above solution, the insertion ports (15a, 15b) for the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) are formed at positions offset from the center of the connection terminal case (15). The position (posture) of the connection terminal case (15) differs between the case where the direction of (15) is correct and the case where it is reversed. When connecting the connection terminals (14a, 14b) to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and the connection terminal case (15) is oriented correctly, the side wall surface (15c) of the connection terminal case (15) is connected to the connection restricting piece. (16, 18) contacting the guide surface (16c, 18a) with the connection terminal case (1
5) is moved toward the fixed terminals (13a, 13b), the connection terminal case (15) is guided by the guide surfaces (16c, 18a), and the connection terminals (14a, 14b) are fixed to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b). ). On the other hand, if the direction of the connection terminal case (15) is reversed, the connection terminal case (15) is connected to the connection prohibition surface (1) of the connection restricting pieces (16, 18).
6c, 16d, 18b) to prevent the connection between the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and the connection terminals (14a, 14b).

[0014]

Therefore, according to the above-described means, it is possible to reliably prevent the connection terminal case (15) from being erroneously connected by inserting the connection terminal case (15) in the opposite direction. Failure of components due to connection can be prevented.
In addition, since the connection regulating pieces (16, 18) are provided with the guide surfaces (16c, 18a), the connection terminals (14a, 14b) can be fixed terminals (13a, 13b).
It can also be easily connected.

Further, the connection restricting piece (1) is attached to the switch box (10) to which the wiring board (11) is fixed or the wiring board (11) itself.
(6, 18), the wiring board (11) and the connection restricting pieces (16, 18)
The position of the connection terminal is fixed by the connection restricting pieces (16, 18) compared to the case where the connection restricting pieces are provided on other parts in the air conditioner (1). Connection regulation can be ensured.

When the wiring clamp (16) formed on the switch box (10) is used as a connection restricting piece, there is no need to provide a dedicated component for the connection restricting piece (16). Simplification is possible.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the connector structure of the present invention is applied to an outdoor unit (1) of a separate type air conditioner.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a plan view, respectively, showing a schematic arrangement of devices in the outdoor unit (1). As shown, in the casing (2) of this outdoor unit (1),
Outdoor heat exchanger (3), blower (4), compressor (5), electric expansion valve (6), receiver (7), and shut-off valve (gas-side shut-off valve (8a)
And a liquid-side shutoff valve (8b)). In the drawings, the outline of each device is represented by a solid line, and the configuration is simplified.

Although not shown in detail, the outdoor heat exchanger (3) is a cross-fin coil type heat exchanger having a substantially L-shaped plan view and fixed to the casing (2). . The blower (4) has a fan motor mounting base (41)
And a propeller fan (43) fixed to the output shaft of the fan motor (42), and the fan motor mount (41) is an outdoor heat exchanger in the figure.
It is fixed to the front center of (3).

At the right end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3), a tube plate (31) formed in a so-called channel shape is fixed, and the tube plate (31) extends vertically and vertically. ing.
A partition plate (21) is fixed to the tube sheet (31). The partition plate (21) is connected to the front surface of the casing (2), and the inside of the casing (2) is partitioned into two large and small spaces (2a, 2b) horizontally adjacent to each other.

The outdoor heat exchanger (3) and the blower (4) are disposed in the larger space (2a) on the left side of the partition plate (21) in the figure, and this space (2a) It is a heat exchange space between the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer tube of the vessel (3) and the outdoor air. An outlet (22) is provided on the front side of the casing (2), and a suction port (not shown) is provided on the opposite side. Further, the compressor (5), the electric expansion valve (6), the receiver (7), and the closing valves (8a, 8b), etc.
Is arranged in the smaller space (2b) on the right side of, and this space (2b) is configured as a machine room.

The compressor (5), the receiver (7) and the shut-off valve (8
a, 8b) is a casing (2) using a fixing member (not shown).
It is fixed to. The electric expansion valve (6) is connected to a refrigerant pipe (not shown) and disposed at a predetermined position. The gas side shut-off valve (8a) and the liquid side shut-off valve (8b) are connected to a communication pipe (not shown), and are arranged at the lower part of the machine room (2b). It is located in. The shut-off valves (8a, 8b) are closed until the installation is completed, and the inside of the refrigerant pipe on the outdoor unit (1) side is kept clean.

On the other hand, in the upper part of the casing (2),
A switch box (10) is arranged as shown by a virtual line. As shown in FIG. 3, which is a partially cutaway perspective view of the outdoor unit (1), the switch box (10) is formed of a plastic box-shaped case whose upper part is open. A printed wiring board (11) is fixed to the switch box (10). On the printed wiring board (11), various electronic components are mounted on the printed wiring, and the casing (2)
Each device is electrically connected via electrical wiring such as lead wires (12a, 12b).

The printed wiring board (11) includes a driving board (11).
a) and a control board (11b), and each of the boards (11a, 11b) is positioned substantially parallel to the top plate (23) of the casing (2). Is fixed inside.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the connector structure which is a feature of the present invention. This connector structure is applied for connecting lead wires (12a, 12b) of an electric device to a printed circuit board (11) on an electric circuit through which a relatively large current flows. In this connector structure, a printed wiring board
On the printed wiring (not shown) of (11), two fixed terminals (1
3a, 13b) are provided.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the distal ends of the lead wires (12a, 12b). FIG. 5 is a perspective view and FIG. 6 is a plan view. Connection terminals (14a, 14b) are connected to lead wires (12a, 12b) corresponding to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b), respectively.
a, 14b) is a double receptacle which is a connection terminal case (15)
It is built in. As shown in FIG. 7, which is a perspective view showing the lead wires (12a, 12b) to which the connection terminals (14a, 14b) are connected, the connection terminals (14a, 14b)
b) and a second connection portion (142) into which the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) are inserted.

The connection terminal case (15) has fixed terminals (1).
Insertion openings (15a, 15b) for inserting the connection terminals (14a, 14b) by inserting the insertion terminals 3a, 13b) are formed. Each insertion slot (15
a, 15b) are not equally distributed with respect to the center of the connection terminal case (15), but are arranged at positions deviated from the center. For this reason, this connection terminal case (15)
The dimension (A) between the first insertion port (15a) and the corresponding side wall surface (15c) and the dimension (A) between the second insertion port (15b) and the corresponding side wall surface (15d) ( B) is different.

The switch box (10), which is a main component of the air conditioner (1), is integrally formed with a wiring clamp (16) for holding electric wiring (not shown). This wiring clamp (16) is connected to the side wall (10a) of the switch box (10).
A base (16a) integrally formed with the base (16a), and a holding part (16b) that is folded back from the base (16a) and formed downward to the inside of the switch box (10). Department (16
b) The electrical wiring is held between them.

The wiring clamp (16) connects the lead wires (12a, 12b) to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) of the printed wiring board (11).
When the connection terminals (14a, 14b) of (b) are connected, a connection restricting piece for restricting the directionality of the connection terminal case (15) is formed.

In this connection restricting piece (16), the outer surface of the holding portion (16b) is formed as a guide surface (16c). The guide surface (16c) is connected to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and the connection terminals (14a, 14b).
The connection terminal case (15) is formed at a predetermined position such that the side wall surface (15c) of the connection terminal case (15) on the side of the first insertion opening (15a) comes into sliding contact with the connection terminal case. In addition, fixed terminals (13a, 1
If you try to connect the connection terminals (14a, 14b) in the opposite direction to 3b), use this guide surface (16c) or wiring clamp (16).
The upper surface (16d) of the contact terminal abuts on the connection terminal case (15) to function as a connection prohibition surface for preventing connection between the connection terminals (14a, 14b) and the fixed terminals (13a, 13b). .

The switch box (10) is provided with a terminal block (17) on the side wall (10b) as shown in FIG.
This terminal block (17) is connected to the printed wiring board (11) by a flat cable or the like. Then, by connecting the electric wiring from the power supply to the terminal block (17), the printed wiring board (11) is connected.
Can supply power supply current to each device.

-Connection between Wiring Board and Connection Terminal Case- In the present embodiment, the connection terminals (14a) are connected to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b).
a, 14b), first, the first insertion of the connection terminal case (15) with the connection terminal case (15) positioned above the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) as shown in FIG. Contact the side wall surface (15c) on the port (15a) side with the guide surface (16c) of the connection restricting piece (16), and move the connection terminal case (15) downward while sliding it on the guide surface (16c). Let it. When the connection direction of the connection terminal case (15) is correct in this way, the connection terminal case (15) is guided by the guide surface (16c), and the connection terminals (14a, 1
4b) is connected to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b).

On the other hand, the insertion holes (15) for the fixed terminals (13a, 13b)
a, 15b) are formed at positions deviated from the center of the connection terminal case (15), so that if the connection terminal case (15) is connected in the reverse direction, the second insertion port (15b) The side wall surface (15d) on the side contacts the guide surface (16c) of the connection restricting piece (16), and the position of the connection terminals (14a, 14b) cannot be adjusted to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b). Therefore, even if the connection terminal case (15) is pushed down, the connection terminals (1
4a, 14b) and the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) are not connected. Also, even if the connection terminal case (15) is positioned above the connection regulating piece (16) and the positions of the connection terminals (14a, 14b) are aligned with the fixed terminals (13a, 13b), the connection terminal case (15) Lower than that, the bottom (15e) of the connection terminal case (15)
6), the connection between the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and the connection terminals (14a, 14b) is prevented. Therefore, in any case, it is possible to make the operator recognize that the connection direction is wrong.

-Effects of Embodiment- As described above, according to the present embodiment, the connection terminal case (15)
Can be reliably prevented from being inserted incorrectly, so that even a line through which a relatively large current flows can be prevented from malfunctioning due to erroneous connection. Also, guide surface on the connection restricting piece (16).
(16c) is provided to guide the connection terminal case (15), so the connection terminals (14a, 14b) are fixed terminals (13a, 13b).
It can also be easily connected.

Further, a connection restricting piece (16) is provided on the switch box (10) to which the printed wiring board (11) is fixed, so that the positional relationship between the printed wiring board (11) and the connection restricting piece (16) can be adjusted. Air conditioner
As compared with the case where the connection restricting pieces are provided on the other parts in (1), the connection restricting pieces (16) can more reliably restrict the connection of the connection terminal case (15).

In addition, since the wiring clamp (16) formed on the switch box (10) is used as a connection restricting piece, a dedicated component for the connection restricting piece (16) is not required.
The configuration can be simplified as compared with a case where a connection restricting piece is separately provided.

[0037]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the wiring clamp (16) of the switch box (10) is used as the connection restricting piece (16). However, separately from the wiring clamp (16), a virtual line is shown in FIG. As described above, the connection restriction piece (18) may be provided on the printed wiring board (11).

In the example shown by a virtual line in FIG.
(18) is a pin-shaped member, and when connecting the connection terminal case (15) to the printed wiring board (11) in the correct orientation,
The fixed terminal side of the pin (18) functions as a guide surface (18a). If the connection terminal case (15) is to be connected in the opposite direction, the upper end surface (18b) of the pin (18) is connected to the connection terminal (14).
a, 14b) and the fixed terminals (13a, 13b). Therefore, even when the connection restricting piece (18) is provided on the printed wiring board (11), the same effect as when the connection restricting piece (18) is provided on the switch box (10) can be obtained.

The shape of the connection restricting pieces (16, 18) is not limited to the shape shown by a solid line or an imaginary line in FIG. 4, but may be formed on the printed wiring board (11) while guiding the connection terminal case (15). The connection may be made arbitrarily as long as the connection can be made in the regular direction and the connection in the reverse direction is prevented.

Further, in the above embodiment, the wiring clamp (1
6) is also used as a connection restricting piece, but the wiring clamp
In addition to (16), a protrusion (such as a printed wiring board holder) provided on the switch box (10) may be used as a connection restricting piece. In some cases, a portion exclusively used as a connection restricting piece may be used as a switch box ( 10) and other parts may be separately provided.

Although the present invention relates to the structure of a connector applied to an air conditioner as described above, the connector structure of the present invention can be applied to other mechanical devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic device arrangement inside a casing in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic device arrangement inside a casing in the outdoor unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the outdoor unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connector structure of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection terminal case attached to a distal end of a lead wire.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the connection terminal case of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lead wire to which connection terminals are connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Outdoor unit (2) Casing (10) Switch box (11) Printed wiring board (12a, 12b) Lead wire (13a, 13b) Fixed terminal (14a, 14b) Connection terminal (15) Connection terminal case (15a, 15b) Insertion port (15c) Side wall surface (16) Wiring clamp (connection restriction piece) (16c) Guide surface (16c, 16d) Connection prohibition surface (18) Pin (connection restriction piece) (18a) Guide surface (18b) Connection Prohibited side

Claims (5)

[Claims] A wiring board (11) provided with a plurality of fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and a connection terminal (14a, 1b) of an electric wiring (12a, 12b).
4b) is a connector structure of the air conditioner (1) for connecting to the connection terminal case (15) in which the built-in connection terminal case (15) has a fixed terminal (13a, 13b) insertion holes (15a, 15b) are formed,
The fixed terminal (13a, 1) is attached to the body part (10) of the air conditioner (1).
3b) is provided with a connection restricting piece (16) for regulating the direction of the connecting terminal case (15) when the connecting terminal (14a, 14b) is connected to the connecting terminal (14a, 14b). Connection terminal (14
a, 14b) in the correct orientation.
The side wall (15c) of 5) slides into contact with both terminals (13a, 13b) (14a, 14b)
The guide surface (16c) that guides the connection of the two terminals (13a, 13b) (14a, 14b)
And a connection prohibition surface (16c, 16d) for preventing connection of the air conditioner. 2. The connection restricting piece (16) is fixed to a casing (2) of the air conditioner (1) and is provided integrally with a switch box (10) holding a wiring board (11). The connector structure for an air conditioner according to claim 1. 3. The switch box (10) according to claim 2, wherein a wiring clamp (16) for retaining electric wiring is integrally formed with the switch box (10), and the wiring clamp (16) forms a connection restricting piece. Connector structure of air conditioner. 4. A wiring board (11) provided with a plurality of fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and a connection terminal (14a, 1b) of an electric wiring (12a, 12b).
4b) is a connector structure of the air conditioner (1) for connecting to the connection terminal case (15) in which the built-in connection terminal case (15) has a fixed terminal (13a, 13b) insertion holes (15a, 15b) are formed,
The wiring board (11) is provided with a connection regulating piece (18) that regulates the direction of the connection terminal case (15) when the connection terminals (14a, 14b) are connected to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b). The restriction piece (18) is connected to the fixed terminals (13a, 13b) and the connection terminals (14
a, 14b) in the correct orientation.
The side wall (15c) of 5) slides into contact with both terminals (13a, 13b) (14a, 14b)
Guide surface (18a) that guides the connection of both terminals (13a, 13b) (14a, 14b)
And a connection prohibition surface (18b) for preventing connection of the air conditioner. 5. An air conditioner in which a wiring board (11) and an electric component are disposed in a casing (2), wherein the wiring board (11) provided with a plurality of fixed terminals (13a, 13b).
The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a connection terminal case (15) in which connection terminals (14a, 14b) of the electric wiring (12a, 12b) provided on the electric component are built-in. Air conditioner connected by.